Chelsea have received a fitness boost ahead of their crucial Champions League fixture against Benfica on Wednesday night, with Didier Drogba, David Luiz and Raul Meireles all training with the team on Tuesday.
Drogba and Meireles missed the Blues’ 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday through foot and knee injuries respectively, whilst Luiz was replaced in the victory.
However, all three appear to be back to fitness and ready for potential selection against the Portuguese outfit at Stamford Bridge.
The west London team go into the return fixture 1-0 up from the first leg, but Roberto Di Matteo knows that qualification to the semi-finals is by no means assured.
“It is a danger. This is half-time and we’re leading 1-0. But a 1-0 lead is basically nothing,” he stated at a pre-match press conference, covered by Sky Sports.
“Our players are aware of this, and we’ll have to go into this game with the right attitude, the same attitude as against Napoli.
“Nothing has been done yet. We’re aware of that. We need to go and qualify for the next round.
“I think there are a lot of clubs that would like to have so many games, to be involved in all these competitions.
“It’s very demanding for the players, but we’re in a good place. All the players are available, so that will help us.
“It might become an issue at some point. I don’t know.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“Fortunately, we have a fully fit squad, which will help us in the run-in, to be able to play every player we have and give everybody a chance,” he concluded.
Tottenham are reportedly eyeing up a move for PSV Eindhoven attacker Ola Toivonen, according to The Daily Mail.
The north London outfit are eager to strengthen their options up front for next season, with Emmanuel Adebayor’s loan spell from Manchester City now finished.
Although it is believed that bringing the Togolese hitman back permanently is the White Hart Lane club’s first choice for next season, a move for Sweden international Toivonen may also be on the cards.
The 25-year-old has a solid goalscoring record at the Philips Stadion since moving from Malmo in 2009, and is adjudged as one of the Eredivisie’s top talents.
However, with Toivonen ready to step out for the Swedes this summer in Euro 2012, Harry Redknapp’s men may need to move quickly to capture the Scandinavian’s signature, as a raft of other European sides are keeping an eye on the PSV man.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has been rewarded for his side’s excellent season by being selected as the League Managers Association Manager of the Season.
The Tyneside club have had an excellent campaign, finishing fifth and exceeding expectations to challenge for a top four spot all the way up until the last day of the season.
Pardew admitted his delight at receiving the award, which he feels is a huge honour.
“It is an incredible honour. Coming from my fellow managers, this really is as good as it gets and has to be the highlight of my managerial career so far,” he confirmed.
“This award is not just for me. Everything we have achieved has been achieved as a result of an incredible team effort. The board, my coaching staff, backroom team, players and our magnificent supporters – they all play a crucial role and I thank every one of them.”
Newcastle will now feature in next season’s Europa League but may face a battle to hold onto some of their superstars once the transfer window reopens.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
This summer, a clearout of the Arsenal squad has been called for, in an attempt to reduce the wage bill and bring in a talented and more competitive squad. With so many players potentially on their way out, Arsene Wenger could be looking at having to delve as deep into the transfer market as he ever has in his 16 years at the club.
The potential clearout comes in areas all over the team, from Vito Mannone in goal joining Hull City on a permanent basis to Marouane Chamakh going back to Ligue 1. While Euro 2012 goes on, there is very little action in the transfer market taking place, leaving Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger plenty of time to deliberate over potential signings.
Arsenal fans will be hoping for some ruthless singings, bringing in the kind of raw talent that can make them competitors for top trophies once again following a seven year drought.
So where can this talent come from and who should Arsenal be looking to pursue this summer? We run through ten transfers Wenger and co should target.
Click on Lewis Holtby to unveil the top 10
[divider]
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Brazilian national championship is teeming with talent. Be it burgeoning youngsters with world class potential such as Neymar and Lucas Moura or former icons of the European game in the likes of Deco and Juninho Pernambucano. While it is these players who grab much of the attention, there are a countless number of players who may have slipped through the net in the early stages of their career but still possess the ability to compete in the European game. There are of course also other young players who are yet to have their name spread across the continent attached to mass hyperbole. Nevertheless, the improving quality and rapid development of the league is unquestionable, and while a move across the Atlantic may have lost some of its appeal in recent years the prestige of playing in Europe remains the greatest draw.
From an immensely competitive league where a huge number of clubs can challenge for the title there are of course many names that the everyday fan will be unlikely to have heard of. So here, we take a look of some of the talents currently on show in Brazil who possess the ability, but not the media spotlight, to be able to compete in the Premier League.
Click on Arouca to unveil the top 10
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Luka Modric’s representatives are set to meet with Real Madrid on Monday, after the player failed to turn up for Tottenham’s tour of the United States, The Telegraph reports.
The diminutive playmaker is eager to leave White Hart Lane after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League for the second season in succession, with the Spanish champions keen to add the midfielder to their ranks.
With the north London club departing England to go on a tour of the United States ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, Modric was nowhere to be seen and it appears that the player has gone AWOL.
Andre Villas-Boas had criticised Modric’s decision, whilst chairman Daniel Levy is thought to be livid at the midfielder’s petulance.
Modric’s agent and advisers will meet with Madrid representatives in Spain on Monday, but Levy is said to be eager to recoup as close to £40 million as possible to allow the star to leave White Hart Lane.
Madrid are said to have offered £27 million plus add-ons for the player, which Tottenham have rejected.
Meanwhile, The Guardian state that Spurs are ready to fine Modric two weeks wages for his absenteeism.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
They say ‘never go back, you will only be disappointed’, the odds of replicating former glories are slim and you risk tainting such treasured memories.
Does this famous proverb exist in the world of football? Barely a day goes by without a headline linking a player with a ‘romantic return’ to a former club. During this summer alone we’ve seen Joe Cole linked with a move back to his beloved East London whilst Xabi Alonso’s recent contract stutters at Real Madrid sparked deluded Liverpool fans into life.
The homecoming of Thierry Henry proved that such moves could benefit a club beyond the sentimental value whilst Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to liberate Paul Scholes from his retirement home was labelled “inspired”.
What about those players who aren’t in the twilight of their career? Those unfortunate few who have fallen foul of a high profile transfer or have simply been stifled by their new team’s playing philosophy. With this in mind I have compiled a list of ten players who could prosper by returning to their forming stomping ground.
Click on Jordan Henderson to unveil the 10
[divider]
[divider]
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
We’ve all got a fans favourite, or know of a player that the manager simply adores to pick every week. Then there are those players who you simply cannot work out why they make the team on a regular basis. Perhaps these individuals possess images of an explicit nature of the club’s manager or Chairman, or perhaps large bribes may be changing hands.
Either way, there are plenty of footballers in the Premier League that are overrated, either by reputation, price tag or simply as an overhyped youngster coming through the ranks. These days, most English footballers are overpriced of course, but some ridiculously more than others. You take a look round the starting XI’s of the Premier League clubs and wonder how some of the names on the team sheets are still getting a game in the Premier League. We’ve picked our current overrated Premier League XI, and found enough individuals to make up a bench as well!
Click on Rob Green to unveil the Premier League’s overrated XI
[divider]
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If Arsenal’s recent exploits in the transfer market could be defined in one simple phrase, it would read ‘from invincible to incredibly vulnerable’. Whereas the likes of Manchester United are ruthless in their pursuit of targets and similarly defiant in thwarting any unwanted bids, it would appear that every Arsenal player has his price. Without wanting to seem callous, it strikes me that rival managers often bully Arsene Wenger into granting them the freedom to lure away his best players.
Arsenal are no longer the most desirable club to play for in the Premier League, which is why their trend of allowing contracts to run down into their final year continues to baffle. The once popular figures of Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie have effectively exploited their contract situation in order force a move away, with Theo Walcott looking like he could soon follow suit. The club’s ability to attract the crème de la crème is made increasingly difficult by the financial restrictions of their self-sufficient business model. The priority should therefore focus on maintaining of the services of their existing personnel, but it seems the foundations for a title winning side are continually ripped away.
Of course when players do commit to long-term contracts, it doesn’t guarantee loyalty but it does put the club firmly in a position of power during negotiations. Wenger deserves a lorry load of praise for extracting £20m+ from both Manchester outfits, but it’s of little consolation when you’re enhancing the title hopes of your rivals as your own chances suffer in the process. It’s such a shame that Wenger is continually placed in impossible situations when his superiors fail to tie down the club’s best assets.
Arsenal’s strict financial policy warrants as much criticism as it does praise. The club can be commended for continuing to ensure its future wellbeing, but the harsh reality of the modern game is that the best players in the world come with the biggest price tags. When the club pulled out of a deal to sign Nuri Sahin due to a dispute over the percentage of wage contribution, it highlighted how their cost conscious strategy doesn’t allow for flexibility in any circumstances.
It’s painfully obvious that Wenger doesn’t possess the same working relationship with chief executive Ivan Gazidis as he once did with David Dein. The two seem to have been forcefully put together, working towards a distant and unrealistic goal while under constant scrutiny. Gazidis reminds me of a seedy politician when he conducts an interview, constantly evading direct questions to deliver generic and often broad statements. In a recent exposé with the Mirror he was asked whether the club can keep “top players happy and on top contracts,” but diverted away from the topic by insisting the club was on a “really positive path” and that the “financial capability is growing.” This is a man blessed with a business but not a football brain.
Gazidis however, is not in charge of negotiating deals, that’s the role of Dick Law who I have been careful typing into Google ever since learning of his existence. He must accept a portion of blame for the recent misfortunes, especially considering his main contribution last summer consisted of an alarming amount of time spent in Costa Rica completing the signing of Joel Campbell and insulting Bolton with a derisory bid for Gary Cahill. Somewhat bizarrely, the ‘charming Texan’ has his office in the training ground complex, in the same area where the press conferences are held. It’s hardly the best environment to conduct private, delicate negotiations, especially as agents and journalists are likely to rub shoulders in the corridors.
According to reports both Emmanual Frimpong and Andrei Arshavin will see their contracts expire next year alongside Theo Walcott. The Russian winger will be no great loss – other than financially – having tumbled from the limelight after an impressive start to his Gunner’s career. Frimpong on the other hand, struck an instant rapport with the fans after a series of tenacious displays. His departure would be mourned but there are doubts regarding his professionalism and how he will overcome his current injury.
If Arsenal want to avoid repeating the same mistakes then they should already be looking forward towards 2014 with three key players up for renewal. Revered full-back Bacary Sagna, who recently criticised the club for their summer transfer activity may already be a lost cause with Wenger insisting, “If he is not happy, he has to go elsewhere”. However, the club need to move quickly to retain the services of Kieron Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny, who many believe are the future of the club.
It’s also worth mentioning the role agents play in enabling a players contract to run down to the point of expiry. Their job is to get the best deal for the player (and therefore themselves), and the most effective way to do this is by shifting the balance of power. As soon as the possibility of a player leaving for free becomes a reality, then the agent can slowly crank up his demands as the club becomes more and more desperate. I can’t imagine there are too many agents eager to sit down when there is a significant amount of time left to run on a contract, unless of course a significant pay rise is involved.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Ironically the only contract that looks like being signed in the near future involves Arsene Wenger, who Gazidis hailed as the “best man to lead us forward”. I can’t help but think the phrase “with one hand tied behind his back” should be added to the end of that sentence.
Complete the survey below to be in with the chance of winning a football shirt of your choice…
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.
And it’s Steven Gerrard, what a beauty and he wheels away to celebrate in front of the Matthew Harding stand! I know what you’re thinking; probably something along the lines of ‘I beg your pardon’, ‘excuse me’ or maybe something more expletive!
Alas, Mr Liverpool himself may have completed a move down south to London with Chelsea on a couple of occasions during Rafael Benitez’ reign but opted to belong in his hometown and has since gone on to accumulate legendary status at Anfield and amidst the loyal Kop following.
Speaking of Chelsea, their latest whizz kid Eden Hazard revealed this week that he could have ended up at Tottenham Hotspur following an impressive campaign last term, but opted for the Blues given their Champions League triumph and subsequent qualification.
Given the Belgian’s impressive start to life in England, Spurs fans may be forgiven for thinking ‘if only’ but they are certainly not alone in the ranks of those clubs who let that player get away or lost out to a rival bidder with just minutes to spare in true eBay fashion.
Let us embark on a journey through yesteryear as we document the top ten ‘if only’ transfers in the Premier League.
Click on Yaya Toure to unveil the top 10
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
Did I miss anyone? Let me know on Twitter @Taylor_Will1989