Mixed fortunes for the English sides in the Champions League but Wenger and Ancelotti won’t mind one iota, as their passage to the knockout stages has been assured. Elsewhere Alan Pardew can seemingly expect a frosty reception should he take the reins at St James, while an Aston Villa director reportedly claimed that supporters were right to rage at Gerard Houllier.
In the papers this morning Jermain Defoe claims that his goals in midweek will kick-start his season; Carlos Tevez claims that City success will wind up Fergie, while Steven Gerrard will be given extra time to work on his fitness.
*
Blatter attacks English ‘arrogance’ – Guardian
Pienaar coy on Everton future – Sky Sports
Pardew faces hate backlash – Sun
Fans right to rage at Houllier – director – Guardian
Defoe: My season has just started – Sun
Gerrard given extra time to prove fitness ahead of potential Reds return – Daily Mail
Manchester United inquire about Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita – IM Scouting
City success will wind up Fergie – Sun
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Ferguson calls for end to sick chants – Guardian
Marseille optimistic over beating Liverpool in hunt for Fanni – IM Scouting
Bolton chairman and FA official Phil Gartside has backed Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp to become the next England manager.
The Three Lions have been searching for a new national selector since the resignation of Fabio Capello, with the White Hart Lane supremo the favourite and frontrunner.
Despite the FA insisting that they are being patient in their search for a new boss, Gartside has confirmed his support of Redknapp for the position.
In an interview set to be aired on BBC World Extra Time this weekend, Gartside states that he believes Redknapp would make ‘an outstanding England manager’ and that he is ‘a good motivator with a winning mentality’, according to The Daily Mail.
With Euro 2012 less than two months away, many are prompting the FA to make a move soon to give the new man the maximum time possible to prepare for the tournament in Ukraine and Poland.
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The story of Carlos Tevez will no doubt go down in the folklore of English football as one of the most bizarre and intriguing tales in the modern history of the game in this country. A tale that began with his stunning arrival at West Ham in 2006 is now set to end after 5 years of transfer sagas, key goals by the bucket-load, ownership questions, city-crossing experiences… you name it, Carlos Tevez has been involved in it.
But enough eulogising, the man is not dead. In fact, far from it. He is currently taking part in the Copa America in Argentina, which upon arriving at and reuniting with his daughters and wife Vanesa, he has taken the decision that his time in England is over. So, what now for the blue half of Manchester?
On the day in which he sealed the transfer of Gael Clichy from their top-of-the-table challengers Arsenal, Roberto Mancini must have been quietly confident for the coming season. He has been rapidly approaching his goal of having two quality players for each position within the squad, and was looking to add another winger, possibly Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez or Arsenal’s Samir Nasri if rumours are to be believed. A sale of those deemed surplus to requirements such as Wayne Bridge and Roque Santa Cruz and decisions on the futures of players like Shaun Wright-Phillips and Emmanuel Adebayor would be carried out in the coming weeks now that the players are returning from holidays, but other than that the squad was looking settled for the season ahead.
And then came the news that Captain Carlos was looking for a way out of the club, and Mancini’s hopes for a calm (relatively, for City) summer went hurtling out the window, with the Argentine sure to follow.
City’s summer now rests on finding a replacement, as it is safe to say the current crop of strikers at the club are not at the level Mancini needs or wants. The South American trio of Felipe Caicedo, Jo and Santa Cruz will be told to look elsewhere as they have all fallen so far out of favour with the manager that it would take a resurrection of Biblical proportions to get back in the team. Moves for Craig Bellamy and Adebayor to Celtic and Real Madrid respectively seem to be more a case of when not if. The self-proclaimed ‘second best player in the world’ Mario Balotelli still has a bit to learn before he can usurp Messi as player numero uno, but he will stay at City for the time being, as will Edin Dzeko, whose start to life at the club cannot really be used to judge him just yet, but this is set to be a defining season for him in the Blue’s team.
The current state of affairs only really leaves City with the two main strikers, and while that should satisfy Mancini in so far as he plays 4-4-3 with two wingers flanking the striker, it is highly likely that he will be in the market for a new centre forward.
A few options have been bandied about in the media recently, the club strongly linked with a move for Samuel Eto’o even before the Tevez statement. It was suggested that Inter Milan were interested in the perpetually want-away Argentine and that there were hopes of a swap deal being concluded, not for the first time in Eto’o’s career, although Inter had stated that they were unwilling to sell their star striker.
An almost like-for-like alternative would be Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero or Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi. Both from Argentina, both strong and fierce competitors, Aguero is the better finisher and the more prolific scorer but Lavezzi has a more bullish style akin to that of Tevez. Aguero has stated that he is definitely leaving this summer, and despite an offer from Juventus being discussed by his club, he refuses to make any decision until after the Copa America. According to the Lavezzi’s agent, President of Napoli Aurelio De Laurentiis has said that, “No player is not for sale,” suggesting that the door will be open should they get the price they want. Aguero is the more straightforward option, as he has a minimum fee release clause thought to be around £42 million, and while some clubs may baulk at this it is certainly within the City budget of ‘practically infinite’. The only real issue is how the club sells the City of Manchester to another player used to sun, sangria and siestas.
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Whether this appeases the fans or not is one thing. Whether the fans even care about Tevez’s departure after half a year of ‘will he-won’t he’ is something entirely different. Either way, City supporters are going to be in for another bumpy summer of speculation. Buckle up.
Thomas is a man who will be remembered for one important moment in his life. But what happened after that immortal night in Anfield 1989?
It has to be said that Michael Thomas is a man of protean allegiances. He was born in London on August 24th 1967 and grew up as a Spurs fan. Despite this he signed for Tottenham’s North London rivals Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1982. He would later move from Arsenal on to rivals Liverpool. By 1986 Thomas had broken into the Arsenal team and was eventually switched from the right back position into midfield. In fact, his position in the midfield was the perfect forum for his surging runs and allowed him to exhibit his deadly strength and pace.
Michael Thomas made 206 appearances for Arsenal and scored 30 goals. He won the League Cup, and the picked up two League Championship trophies as an Arsenal player. Despite the plaudits and the achievements, Thomas is a man who will be remembered by Arsenal fans (and, likely by Liverpool fans) for one career defining moment.
Brian Moore’s commentary will live on in connection with that moment: “Thomas, charging through the midfield… it’s up for grabs now! Thomas! Right at the end!” Arsenal headed to Anfield needing to beat Liverpool by two clear goals to win the title. Early in the second-half Alan Smith headed an Arsenal goal home to give the Gunners a chance. But it looked as though they were going to spurn the opportunity before Thomas received Smith’s lay-off, scooted forward and flicked the ball past a despairing Bruce Grobbelaar. Arsenal won that game 2-0 and picked up the League title. Michael Thomas won Arsenal the league at Anfield in 1989.
Despite being known as an Arsenal legend, Thomas also spent a significant portion of his life playing for Liverpool. This is slightly surprising considering that he broke the hearts of Liverpool fans with his goal just two seasons before he agreed terms with the Reds.
Thomas made 126 appearances for Liverpool scoring only 9 goals. The best of the bunch was a turn-and-volley against Sunderland in the 1992 FA Cup Final. As well as an FA Cup Winners medal, Thomas also won the League Cup with Liverpool in 1995.
As his career dialled down he played for Middlesbrough before moving abroad to play for Benfica. He bought a house in Portugal by the sea, where his family came to live with him, but unfortunately, wasn’t able to hold down a regular place on the team. Two years later he returned to England for one last season with Wimbledon before retiring in 2001.
Now 43 years old, Thomas still lives in Merseyside where he has remained a loyal Liverpool fan (despite being voted the 37th Greatest Gunner in 2008’s official poll). In his spare time he even plays for the Liverpool legends in Masters football tournaments. He runs a security and chauffeur firm from for ‘high-level individuals’ – that means Presidents and the likes – based in Wirral.
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Of course, he still gets stopped on the streets and asked about that moment. Despite all his various achievements and accomplishments, his League-winning goal against Liverpool will, for better or worse be his career defining moment.
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The race for third place is hotting up and Arsenal face a real fight to hang on to their dreams of automatic qualification to next seasons Champions League. A 0-0 draw last week opened the door for the resurgent Magpies to close the gap and they’re now breathing down the Gunners’ neck. One potential factor that could hamper their hopes of fulfilling their objectives is Robin Van Persie’s scoring drought. Despite notching 34 this season the Dutchman has experienced a testing time in front of goal of late finding the net just once in his last seven games. 46 games in all competitions for Van Persie have taken it’s toll on the striker who’s looked a weary and lethargic in recent weeks. Wenger will be desperate for his captain to rediscover his goal touch in Arsenal’s three remaining fixtures and fire them into Europe’s elite club competition.
This week on FFC a potential transfer target’s suitability to Arsenal’s current system is analysed and could a move to the Emirates Stadium be the best way to go for a recently departed European coach?
[divider]
Best of FFC
Do Arsenal provide the ideal next move?
Would he truly fit into the Arsenal dynamic or just a good player in his current system?
A change in coaching philosophies needed in order to move forward
The Curse Of Individual Brilliance in football?
Have we been here before with Wenger’s transfer talk?
Does Arsenal’s ‘next generation’ actually have the potential to become a force?
The Top TEN Would-Be Arsenal ‘Exports’ This Summer
Arsenal set to finally land their man in £10m deal
Arsenal in advanced transfer talks
[divider]
Best of WEB
[divider]
Defensive Clarity Will Bring About Third Place – A Cultured Left Foot
Has this forward impressed in his first season at Arsenal? – Gunnersphere
What stops Arsène Wenger from being a truly great manager – Online Gooner
Penalties, discipline and shop windows – Arseblog
Barca say no… | Third is the new fourth for Arsenal | Wilshere plays it sensible – Le Grove
Do we really need Yann M’Vila? Hazard on his way to the Premier League…. – Highbury House
Surely Arsene Won’t Let A Potential £7M Asset Slip Away To Toon – Transfer Tavern
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Quote of the Week
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“He took his role seriously on and off the pitch and I think it added something to his determination as well. That is why maybe his commitment was even stronger – because he feels more responsibility. He grew into this role.
“The best way to be a captain for me is to be a fantastic football player, that is the best way to get respect in your team. He did that remarkably well.” Arsene Wenger believes the Arsenal captaincy proved the catalyst for Robin Van Persie’s prolific season
FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer insists he has not been sacked from his role as General Secretary of CONCACAF.Lisle Austin, acting president of CONCACAF – the federation of North American, Central American and Caribbean football associations – has twice attempted to dismiss Blazer after he accused senior FIFA figures Jack Warner and Mohamed Bin Hammam of corruption.
Warner has been suspended from his role as CONCACAF President pending an investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee.
Warner’s deputy, Austin, has attempted to remove Blazer from his role within CONCACAF, but the 66-year-old American insists Austin does not have the authority to dismiss him.
“I still have my job, very much so,” Blazer said.
“The majority of the executive committee has said very clearly that I have a job and they are the only ones who can control it.”
“I have always been comfortable with CONCACAF. There’s an individual who thinks he has more power than he does.”
The farcical row involving Blazer and Austin comes as FIFA President Sepp Blatter was re-elected unopposed on Wednesday.
The English and Scottish FA’s sought to have the election delayed over concerns about Blatter’s integrity.
Blazer acknowledged their right to seek the delay, but believes FIFA are still a force for good in football, despite the recent storm of corruption allegations.
“I feel they have every right to do it, that’s all,” Blazer said, referring to the attempted delays.
“These decisions are for national associations to make for themselves, and they have every right to do that.”
“I think that FIFA is doing a really excellent job of promoting football around the world, if I look back 10 years, 20 years and see the progress we have made, I’m very proud of our accomplishments.”
South African FA Vice-President Danny Jordaan supported Blatter’s re-election to the top job, claiming he had been given a mandate for reform from the FIFA Congress.
“I think the structures have been put in place to deal with the matter so I think the congress has given Sepp Blatter a 91-percent mandate, they have endorsed 100 percent the proposals that he proposed so he has got the institutional structures now to deal with any and every matter,” Jordaan said.
“He was talking about the independence of these enquires, the governance and so on.”
“We are very happy, I think coming from where we’ve come from if these proposals are implemented I think there is a bright future for FIFA.”
A stereotype the majority of us associate with your average Premier League footballer would be one of greedy, over paid pre-Madonna’s who hardly justify fame and fortune. But according to the Manchester United striker, Michael Owen, this generalisation is grossly unfair.
The former Liverpool and England hit man protested that many professional footballers give a lot of their spare time to do work for charities and local community projects, yet remain undetected by the media.
Talking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “People like to judge footballers as a whole but I think that’s pretty unfair.
”Everyone’s different. I’ve met some footballers that are absolutely fantastic people, are always visiting sick kids, they do things for charities, but they don’t ask for any press coverage. They just go about it because they want to do it.”
Firstly, I’m as encouraged as anyone to hear that such stars are anonymously using their countless monies and iconic status to help those in need. But really, are fans that interested in how much of their hard earned cash they give up, as long as players’ performances are still winning football matches?
Take Wayne Rooney for example. His initial decision to leave Man United was met with some cynical opinions from biased fans, myself included. ‘He hasn’t been good enough for a while, anyway. With the money from his transfer, we could re-build the squad.’ However fast forward a week and the general consensus around Old Trafford is, ‘£20ok a week? Well he maybe over-paid, but he is still world class, after all.’
Owen, who has been ruled out for a further three weeks with a hamstring tear, made his comments at a time where footballers are being hung out to dry for the amount they earn due to the current financial climate.
But the modern day footballer now seems so far out of the realms of real life, that as long as our team is winning and our favourites are providing us with moments of football genius, we can excuse the fact they earn more in a week than we do in five or even 10 years.
Seeing your team lift a trophy is the stuff of dreams for every football fan. But this comes at a cost, particularly given the spending power of some of the bigger teams in England. The only way it seems to be successful nowadays is to pay for it. Chelsea have shown us that.
If fans of lesser clubs picture their captain, who earns over £100, 000 a week, lifting the F.A Cup at Wembley for the first time in decades, I’m not so convinced at that moment in time they would be thinking of the consequence of these professionals being so handsomely paid.
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So as fans do we care how much professionals are being paid? I wouldn’t have thought so. Just as long as we’re winning.
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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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Manchester City look close to agreeing a fee with Bolton for England defender Gary Cahill.
The defender played in every league game for the Trotters this year and made his England debut in November. Cahill is thought to be keen on playing Champions League football as he looks to establish himself as a regular in the national side.
Bolton are thought to want £20 million plus Nedum Onuoha in exchange for the 25-year old. Cahill moved to the Reebok in January 2008 and has made 126 appearances for the club.
Manchester City are looking to strengthen their squad in preparation for next season’s Champions League having finished third in the league. With Kolo Toure still waiting for the hearing following his failed drugs test a centre-back is high on Roberto Mancini’s wish list.
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Bolton had also been keen on taking Dedryck Boyata and Craig Bellamy on loan as part of the deal but the Welshman reportedly favours a return to hometown club Cardiff. Onuoha, on the other hand, spent this season on loan at Sunderland and is thought to be keen on a permanent move away from Manchester City.
Chidge and the Chelsea FanCast crew discuss the games against Newcastle and Man City, and are also joined by Neil Fissler the author of new Chelsea book: Where Are They Now – Chelsea.
First we lose to Newcastle in the Carling Cup, but Chidge and the boys actually enjoyed a game we lost more than when we win. Can’t beat a bit of fight and passion and backs to the wall spirit, and we were privileged to see Josh McEachran’s transformation from a boy into a man. He didn’t put a foot wrong.
Next up we had Man Citeh in what was billed as our first big test of the season. What did we get? A bit of a feeble performance in midfield and another mugging from Man City. It was more like a game of Italian chess, but we don’t really think we deserved to come home empty handed when all is said and done. And when all is said and done, both the Arse and Man Who screwed up, so we’re still top of the league and having a laugh!!
We have a very special guest on the show in the form of Neil Fissler. Neil has written an excellent book entitled “Where Are they Now – Chelsea” which gives the true football anorak details on what has happened to Chelsea players from the past. Players like: Rati Aleksidze; Wilf Chitty, Jack Cock, Perry Digweed, Frode Grodas, and even Slavisa Jokanovic, as well as players we’ve actually heard of!
As well as all that the boys discuss the matches from the last week and award their Man of the Match; Chant of the Match; Celery and Guinness moments, as well as another classic terrace song from the terraces in “we’re out show the world the way to sing”.
And with the Dr AWOL again this week, there’s a joint effort on the Dear Mart front, and back by popular demand Chidge reads out the best of your posts in “You’re on CFFC”. Who says we don’t give the listeners what they want!!!
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The Chelsea Football FanCast: To be Frank, we missed him!
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