Blackburn managing director Peter Shaw has stated that Alan Shearer is in consideration for the vacant manager’s position.
The Lancashire club sacked Steve Kean recently, and are currently looking for a replacement that can lead the side back to the Premier League.
Shearer fired Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995, and Shaw has admitted that the BBC pundit could well be in the frame.
“I’m sure it would be a popular appointment, but even more than getting fans excited we need a good manager who’ll get us to the Premier League and keep us in the Premier League,” Shaw told Sky Sports.
“Obviously someone with Alan’s football record, he’ll be on the list that we have a good look at.
“I wouldn’t confirm anything at this moment in time. There’s a number of names being put forward for our job, those names have been forwarded on to the owners with comments.
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“We’re possibly getting a little bit nearer the interviewing stage but there’s no one ruled in and no one ruled out at the moment, so I can’t really comment any further,” he concluded.
Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are also names being speculated as candidates in the press.
Newcastle United centre back Steven Taylor is primed for another meeting with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this Sunday.
Whilst his namesake Ryan Taylor is still held in high regard for getting his free kick ‘over the wall’ and in the back of the net, in a 1-0 victory at the Black Cats ground last season, the magpies central defender wants to make his own derby day history.
The ace has been kept out for the last few fixtures but is now back in full training alongside Coloccini and Tim Krul, who are both also recovering from injuries.
It is an encouraging sign that all 3 players took part in United’s latest training session at their Benton training centre. Their returns will be extremely well received ahead of such a crucial clash.
Newcastle’s hierarchy has been challenged in recent times for not adding more reinforcements to the squad in the summer, than just Vurnon Anita for £6.6million from Ajax.
Many fans hoped that qualification for the Europa League would mean that the club would open up its coffers to make some marquee signings, in order to push on towards the top 4.
Perch and Williamson though have performed admirably under the injury circumstances recently, with both having to play as part in Premier League and Europa league sides.
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Despite this, the fans will be delighted their defensive stars are in back in the first team fold. The spine of the team has returned at a perfect time for the Toon’s supporters. They will be hoping the players won’t be rusty first game back, with Tyne-Wear bragging rights at stake.
Juventus are set to up their efforts to sign Arsenal transfer target Fernando Llorente, according to The Daily Mail.
The Spain international forward is in the last year of his contract with Athletic Bilbao, and has signalled his intent to leave the San Mames club for a new challenge.
The Turin giants are in the market for a big-name striker, and are thought to highly-rate Llorente.
With his contract expiring, it is believed that the Serie A champions will offer the Spaniards £5 million in the January transfer window, and are ready to make him their highest paid player on £145,000 per week.
Arsenal are still in the market for a new frontman as a long-term replacement for Robin van Persie, who left the club to join Manchester United in the summer.
The Gunners did sign Olivier Giroud, but Arsene Wenger is eager to provide competition for a starting place for the France international and bolster his options in attack.
The Emirates Stadium outfit are also an admirer of Llorente, who they have had their eye on for some time.
Arsenal are hoping to take advantage of Llorente’s expiring contract, but now must fight the financial might of Juventus if they are to convince the targetman to move to north London.
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Llorente had a training ground bust-up with Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa earlier in the season, and it is believed that the Basque side are ready to cash in on him to avoid losing their star on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.
It doesn’t take a lot to constitute a crisis in modern football. Sunderland entered September, possibly even October on track to achieve the season’s goals and now a couple of demoralising home defeats leave a miserable cloud hanging over Wearside.
Manchester City are also edging towards the dreaded ‘c’ word, such is the madness of football. The league champions, who remain undefeated in the Premier League’s European failings leave the manager players feeling the heat. My point is in this crazy sport where the difference between success and failure is so minimal does the timing of when you play certain teams impact a team’s long-term results?
Bolton Wanderers weren’t among the favourites for relegation but ended the season in the drop-zone after picking up six points from their first nine games. During this tough tenure Wanderers met five members of the traditional top six of the league. A torrid start de-railed the ambitions of a team looking to build on a 14th place finish and a FA Cup semi-final appearance. After a momentum draining start, the Trotters lost winnable games against Sunderland, Swansea and West Brom putting them directly into a dogfight.
Other factors were at play, the influential Stuart Holden missed the entire season, while Lee Chung Yong had been an important player for the club and missed a majority of the season through injury. When Gary Cahill left in January the club were also left with a sub-standard back four, with centre backs Zat Knight, Tim Ream and David Wheater lacking the quality needed at Premier League level.
However, going against this trend, bottom club last year Wolverhampton Wanderers picked up 11 points from their opening nine games and enjoyed a relatively manageable opening quarter before fading badly. Blackburn Rovers the other club relegated that term met three of the traditional top teams in their opening nine fixtures. They managed just five points however they were always among the favourites to go down and matched people’s expectations throughout the season. Wolves weren’t many people’s favourites for relegation but were also not expected to be far away from the drop-zone perhaps not making the two clubs the best examples.
The biggest over-achievers last year were Norwich City. Guided by the highly rated Paul Lambert, the Canaries reached 12th spot in the Premier League rarely close to the relegation places all term. They managed a solid total of 12 points in their opening nine matches. This came against a steady level of competition including three of the traditional top six teams in the division. Losses to Manchester United and Chelsea didn’t halt the momentum of a well-organised squad who caught many by surprise last year. Birmingham City were perhaps the surprise package in the 2010-2011 relegation zone. The Blues over-achieved finishing the previous year in the top half and showed their team contained genuine quality, winning the league cup in the same year they exited England’s top division. That year the Midlands side started steadily with 12 points from their first nine playing two top six sides in the process.
While my small Premier League sample shows that many factors are in play during a season and the fixture list is perhaps low in ranking among the problems a football club faces. I do believe Sunderland to an extent are a victims of a tough start. Taken individually prior to defeat at Villa, Sunderland had acquired good away points and only tasted defeat at the hands of the league champions.
Plus the two draws at the Stadium of Light were against difficult opposition in tough circumstances. But failure to win matches combined with a demoralising cup defeat meant the Black Cats couldn’t play with any real confidence or conviction against Villa. Liverpool FC are also victims of the fixture list to an extent. The Reds are going through a transitional period under Brendan Rogers, and the Ulsterman has had a torrid run, playing four of last year’s top six already. The Merseyside club are currently in an unsatisfactory 12th.
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However if my findings are accurate and the cliché of things evening themselves out over a season is true, both Rodgers and O’Neill should take comfort and remain defiant in trying to lift their teams up the Premier League table.
New QPR manager Harry Redknapp has confessed that he is interested in bringing former England captain David Beckham back to the Premier League.
The midfielder is set to leave MLS giants LA Galaxy at the end of the current American season, with his lucrative content due to expire.
It has been speculated that he may move to Australia in a bid to expand the A League’s global status, but rumours are now circulating that QPR may be interested.
Redknapp admitted that he would be open to signing Beckham and that he believes he would be able to contribute despite being 37-years-old:
“I’m sure he could still play in the Premier League,” he is quoted by SkySports.
“He is a top player and a fantastic person.
“We had him at Tottenham training and he was amazing around the place, absolute class.
But, he also acknowledged that no official plans are in place:
“I haven’t discussed it with the chairman (Tony Fernandes) at the moment so we’d have to look at that.
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“But David could still certainly be a great asset to anybody, showing people how to train, how to look after yourself. His professionalism is second to none.”
Beckham enjoyed a successful spell with Manchester United between 1993 and 2003, before joining Real Madrid in a big money move.
He left the Spanish capital after four years moving to the USA as the first Designated Player in MLS history.
Former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong wants Mario Balotelli to join him at AC Milan.
The controversial Italian striker has been liked with a move away from the Premier League, with manager Roberto Mancini rumoured to be frustrated by his poor form and off-field distractions.
De Jong left the Etihad Stadium during the summer to join the Serie A giants, and would welcome his former team-mate should he elect to move:
“I have read about Mario coming to Milan in the papers,” he is quoted by SkySports.
“Let’s see what happens. It is always nice to have great players in the team.”
He also defended the striker against criticism for his temperament:
“Balo is great but he must feel good to do his best.”
The Dutchman went on to insists he is happy in Milan despite rumours that he was struggling to settle at his new club:
“It took me longer than I expected to settle here but I’ve only been here for two months,
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“Every game I try to do better. Everything is new for me here, the coach is looking for the best game plan and I have to adapt.
“Recent results show that we are on the right track with the 4-3-3.
“I like Italian football even if the stadiums are empty.”
Liverpool go into this Wednesday’s fixture in resurgent form after an impressive 3-0 win over rock bottom QPR.
They will be hoping though that 2013 delivers a lot more in the Premier League than 2012 did. The Reds still remain reliant upon Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan was up to his usual mischief at Loftus Road last time out delivering two goals.
Brendan Rodgers missed that game through illness and would stay away more often if it proved to be somewhat of a lucky charm.
The January transfer window is set to signal some new arrivals at Anfield but they will be looking to get the best out of what they have got as they still ambitiously eye up the Champions League places.
Martin O’ Neill will be slightly disappointed that his team could not build on their 1-0 over the Premier League Champions on Boxing Day last time out at the Stadium of Light.
They got beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur but the re-emergence of form of Adam Johnson will certainly be a boost to the side.
Steven Fletcher is the main man though and every time he has scored Sunderland have yet to lose a game, and will hope he can get on the scoresheet here.
Jose Enrique (hamstring) was taken off early during Sunday’s 3-0 win over QPR, so Stewart Downing is expected to fill his spot at left back, after impressing there when he’s been in that position this season. Martin Kelly (knee) remains on the sidelines but Brad Jones (illness) could return to the bench.
Wes Brown (knee) is expected to not be able to travel to Anfield, while John O’Shea (hamstring) failed to make the distance in the 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Saturday and is likely to miss the game alongside club captain Lee Cattermole (knee).
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Luis Suarez has scored in three of his four Premier League appearances against Sunderland and will be hoping to rattle in another goal or two here.
Prediction: Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
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Rennes’ Yann M’Villa says he is ready for a switch away from the Stade de la Route de Lorient this January, piquing the interest of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, according to Sky Sports.
News of the midfielder’s desire to leave, once again, has sparked further speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, with North London his likely destination.
M’Villa, a France international, has long been the centre of speculation relating to a potential move to England.
Comments like those of Marcel Desailly, who mentioned in April 2012 that the player is “better even than Patrick Vieria,” proved only to strengthen rumours of his many possible moves to the physically demanding Premier League.
The player, 22, who many see as ready for a move away from his homeland, could make the switch this January.
“I am at Rennes at the moment so let’s see what happens,” M’Vila reiterated.
“If the club receive a good offer and I like the destination then I will go, there is no doubt about that.
“Until that happens, nothing can be said.”
A switch to England is certainly likely with Spurs being strongly linked with the player in the past and Arsenal seemingly in need of a player possessing greater physical attributes than they currently have in the centre of midfield.
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No approach has yet been made but M’Villa’s comments look set to reignite this discussion throughout January, intensifying talk of his Ligue 1 defection.
’ hopes of hijacking Loic Remy’s transfer to Newcastle have taken a turn for the good, after Marseille confirmed they have accepted their bid for the striker.
On Sunday, reports suggested that Remy’s move to Tyneside was nearing completion, but it is now understood that Rangers and another unnamed club have seen their bids of around £8.6 million accepted.
Marseille sporting director Jose Angio confirmed QPR’s interest and said the decision now rests with the player, with the club believed to be able to offer the Frenchman far more in wages than the Magpies.
“The coach of QPR has a good reputation,” Angio told RTL radio. “Remy will talk with them as he discusses with two other clubs. For Remy there is not just Newcastle, we also have an agreement with QPR and one other club. It is up to Remy to decide. I don’t think Remy has shut the door on QPR as is being said everywhere.”
Rangers boss Harry Redknapp had attempted to sign Remy earlier in the window, and was seen in the crowd when Marseille took on Guingamp in the French Cup. However reports also claimed Remy had rejected the manager’s advances after the game, preferring a move to Tyneside.
The news follows earlier comments from Hatem Ben Arfa and Mathieu Debuchy, welcoming their potential new teammate to Newcastle.
“He’s made the right choice. When he’s confident he’s a great forward. He’ll enjoy playing in England,” Ben Arfa said.
Meanwhile full-back Debuchy confirmed that Yohan Cabaye had spoken with Remy on Sunday evening about a possible move to the north east.
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“I’m still living with Yo[han] [Cabaye] and Remy telephoned last night.
“Remy asked Cabaye for news of the club and wanted to know how things work and how things are going at Newcastle.”
This could be a considered a meeting of two managers destined to find themselves out of work once the season comes to a close. Roberto Mancini’s fate has been the subject of intense discussion since Manchester City’s shock defeat at Southampton two weeks ago left them cast adrift from Manchester United at the top. The Italian appears to be on borrowed time at the Etihad Stadium and knows delivering the Premier League title is the only possible solution to holding onto his job. But by the time they kick off against Chelsea on Sunday they could be 15 points behind United, who play QPR a day earlier. Should they manage to wrestle the title away from their local rivals it would count as an even greater accomplishment to the one that saw them pip their greatest foes to the post last season. A repeat of their limp display on the South Coast last time out will almost certainly hammer another nail into Mancini’s coffin.
Much like his Italian counterpart Rafael Benitez is another manager expected to meet a grisly end at the campaigns conclusion. Chelsea’s interim boss was an unpopular appoint amongst the clubs support but in a strange twist could end up delivering two trophies to Stamford Bridge. Despite turning in below-par performances against Brentford in the FA Cup and Sparta in the Europa League the club are still in with a genuine chance of winning both competitions. Whether that will be enough to save Benitez from Roman Abramovich’s axe remains to be seen. Stealing second spot from City would go some way to convincing the Russian billionaire to refrain from giving him the boot and victory at the Etihad Stadium would reduce the gap to a solitary point.
Team News
Vincent Kompany could sit out a fifth successive game if he doesn’t shake off a calf injury, while Gareth Barry is struggling with an ankle knock.
Rafael Benitez may recall Demba Ba, Ashley Cole, Eden Hazard, Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz and Frank Lampard after they sat out the Europa League win on Thursday.
What the managers said…
“It’s difficult to win all 12 games in a row in the Premier League but we will try. Our target is to win the Premier League, not to finish second. We want to try to win trophies. Sometimes it’s not possible, but it’s important our team is always there on the top and fights for the title. Sometimes we can do a mistake or sometimes the other team could be better than us. This is possible.” Roberto Mancini insists Manchester City aren’t playing for second place (Manchester Evening News)
“We have to go there with confidence and if we are close we can fight for being in the top two. And if not we have to fight for being in the top four. The priority is to win; if we win this game we will be closer but if we cannot we have to keep fighting. What I can see now is a team with confidence, we are confident we can beat City or anyone if we do things in the right way. The race for the top four will go on until the end of the season. Our last game is against Everton so I’m sure that, until the end of the season, we will be winning games or losing games or whatever but it will be very tight, very close. I think that one game can make a big difference so until the end it will be difficult for everyone.” Rafael Benitez believes Chelsea can finish in the top two if they beat Manchester City (BBC Sport)
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Pre-Match Statistic: Five of the last eight competitive meetings between the two sides have been won by Manchester City
Prediction: Manchester City 1-2 Chelsea
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