Manchester City have been linked with a January move for Getafe midfielder, Abdelaziz Barrada, talkSPORT reports.
Barrada’s agent, Jesus Mesa, confirmed that City are following the progress of the Moroccan international, who has scored three goals in five La Liga matches this season – including the winner against Real Madrid.
“It’s true that Manchester City are following Abdel. They have a scout watching all of his games in the league. It’s still too early to take a decision on his exit. We have to wait until the season finishes,” he said.
The 23-year-old began his career playing youth football in France for US Senart-Moissy and then moved to Paris St Germain.
He had yet to make his professional debut for PSG when Getafe signed him last year, before rapidly progressing through the club’s reserves side and into the first-team.
Barrada announced himself in Spanish football last season with a spectacular free-kick in the 3-2 victory over local rivals, Atletico Madrid.
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Getafe President, Angel Torres, conceded back in April that it would be hard to hold onto their star player and a good offer from City is unlikely to be turned down.
“At the end of the season we’ll probably have to sell him to a big club in the Premier League or Spain.”
Manchester United defender Rafael believes he is maturing as a footballer and has announced his intentions to be included in the Brazil squad for the 2014 World Cup.
Since joining in 2008, Rafael has become well known at Old Trafford for being an attacking-minded full-back with a tendency to dive in and make reckless tackles, however the 22-year-old believes he is ironing-out the imperfections in his game.
With Phil Jones and Chris Smalling sidelined so far this season, Rafael has been a regular for United at right-back. The Brazilian has been impressive and netted twice in the Premier League.
“The way I play for United has changed a little bit and I have scored some goals as well” said Rafael.
“But mature is the word. I always want the ball. Now I read the game more and know what the opposing player is going to do.”
He has now set his sights on the next World Cup: “It is a big time for me. The World Cup is the big competition for Brazil and all the fans expect us to win. I am really looking forward to being there.”
His boss, Sir Alex Ferguson agrees that Rafael is improving and eradicating parts of his game that made him a liability at times in previous seasons.
“He is maturing and learning all the time” said the Scottish boss.
“Rafael has all the ingredients of a great player. He is blessed with great enthusiasm, skill and speed.
“He was quite impulsive and tended to over-commit himself.
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“We have gone over it a few times but, bit by bit, it is all coming together and he was easily our best player Saturday” added Ferguson.
There was a time in football when playing for England was a tremendous honour and one that was greatly appreciated by those given the call. International recognition is no longer the highest accolade for the footballers in this country, with many happy to turn the back on their nation. Where did it all go wrong and how has this problem manifested itself?
Player power is rife in most levels of the game, however I fear International level sees it at its very worst. You obviously have your rare breeds like the Beckhams and Gerrards of this world who would do anything for their country, but ultimately the England scene doesn’t appear as attractive as once was. Does the modern player think so highly of himself that he calls time on International football simply because the manager chooses someone else above them in the pecking order, as we have witnessed in recent years? It is just ridiculous and shows how much standards and respect of their profession has died.
Maybe I am wrong in this instance and should look at it with the outlook as to how the England manager may have contributed to the cheapening of this honour. It raises an interesting point as to how players could look upon representing his country with great pride, especially when the likes of Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson used to give out first caps like confetti, based on simply a handful of good performances. With the greatest respect to the likes of Jake Livermore and Raheem Sterling – are they really worthy of an England call up just yet, especially when the former is not even a regular in the starting line-up at club level. Carl Jenkinson has put a handful of solid performances and I’m sure had he been given international clearance then Hodgson wouldn’t have hesitated in calling him up. It is an absolute joke and a clear sign as to how we struggle as a nation, fielding players that have barely played 25 games at club level. Sir Bobby Robson took 2 years to nurture Paul Gascoigne into the International fold before making him a regular – highlighting how much it has changed.
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It is a sad state of affairs and arguably why the majority of supporters put out a collective groan when International week comes along, but can the honour of representing England ever exist again in this country? Has it been damaged beyond repair? I for one fear the horse has well and truly bolted, although I can’t actually put my finger as to where it all went wrong with the Three Lions. Maybe it needs a manager with a bit of passion and drive to restore some pride – something I fear the England management team has lacked for some time.
As I sat down on a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago to watch the FA Cup First round draw, I found myself fearing the worst, imagining what pain the grand old competition would inflict on us this season.
In recent years the worlds most famous cup competition has been far from kind on Plymouth Argyle. The last game we won in the FA Cup was at home to Hull City in the 3rd round in 2008, five seasons ago. We were still a Championship club back then, so progression to the fourth round wasn’t as special as it would be now. Since that cold January afternoon we have played five matches and lost every single one of them in the competition. The magic of the FA Cup you say? Pah! Pain more like!
A lot has changed since those Championship days, something that is emphasised in the opposition that have knocked us out in the proceeding years. Defeats at Portsmouth, Arsenal and Newcastle were to be expected but at least we got the glamour of visiting their grounds whereas a 4-0 home defeat to Swindon in 2010 is what you would imagine would be as far from glamorous as possible, yet in our case it gets worse.
Least season a 3-3 draw at Home Park with Southern League club Stourbridge, where it took a last gasp equaliser to save us from defeat was embarrassing enough, but most Argyle fans fore-casted the inevitable defeat at the hands of the non-leaguers in the replay. As if to stick the dagger in just a little deeper, ESPN, sniffing a ‘cupset’ (cup-upset), broadcast the match on live TV. I watched with shame and horror as a depleted Argyle side were outplayed all across the park by men who had worked their part-time jobs just hours earlier. I turned the TV off after the second goal went in, not being able to put myself through anymore of that torture.
So, to this season, it couldn’t get any worse, right? ” Number 36 – Dorchester Town will play at home against…number 31 – Plymouth Argyle”. At first I was excited, it seemed like the ideal draw. A (relatively) local away game at a non-league side with a ground which is a pretty decent size for that level of football. I went back to my daily routine, still very aware of what happened to us against a non-league side last season, but quite content.
However, as the days have passed I have started to fear the tie more and more.
Immediate research into the recent fortunes of Dorchester Town showed that they were in fourth place in the Blue Square South, a play-off position. I delved a little deeper and upon finding out that the Magpies have not failed to win a game at home so far this season my heart sunk a little. Later in the week it was announced our game was again to be aired on ESPN. The £68,000 we will receive in TV rights because of this will be gratefully received, used to speed up the repayments of our staff that went so many months without a wage.
Financially the benefits of this tie are great for us, but I just can’t stop thinking that history is about to repeat itself. Away to a non-league side, aired on TV and now virtually an evening kick-off – just like the Stourbridge game. Fans of clubs that have been knocked out by lower league opposition will know exactly how I feel, there isn’t many things more embarrassing in football than your club being knocked out a cup competition by a team of part-timers.
It appears that the FA Cup still wants to squeeze more ‘magic’ out of Plymouth Argyle, I just hope and pray that we can steal that giant-killing magic and save it for a plum third round tie against Premier League opposition. I can dream!
For more Argyle talk follow me on Twitter.
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Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has opened the door for a sensational move to North London rivals Tottenham, according to reports from The Metro.
The Danish international is currently on-loan with Juventus, having fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
However, he is struggling to force his way into Antonio Conte’s plans in Turin, which may see his spell with the Serie A champions end later this season.
Spurs are currently low on striking options, with Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor the only senior front-men in the squad, and Bendtner has refused the rule out a switch to White Hart Lane.
“History is filled with examples of players moving between rival clubs and I can’t rule out clubs due to where I might have been in the past.” He said.
“It might not be the best idea but if the project matches my ambitions I would have to be interested.
“I still have a great relationship with London, which is a city that I adore.
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“I have a lot of friends in London and there are a lot of great clubs in London, so I wouldn’t rule out a return.”
Bendtner has failed to score in seven appearances for Juve, which has deterred the club from pursuing a permanent deal.
David Beckham is mulling over multiple contract offers, according to his representatives.
The former Manchester United midfielder has been linked with a return to the Premier League with QPR, since running down his contract with MLS winners Los Angeles Galaxy earlier this month.
As well as the London club, teams from France, Australia and China have been suggested, but Beckham’s management company insist that no decision has been made:
“There are a number of serious proposals on the table, from a host of clubs across the world.” They are quoted by Sky Sports.
“David is no hurry to make a decision and the key is making the right one, as he has always done successfully in his career.
“It’s early days in the process. David is enjoying spending quality time with his family over the holidays.”
Beckham has previously claimed that a return to England is unlikely, which would seemingly leave a number of global options leading the chase.
It’s thought that A-League club Sydney FC are tempted by the 37-year-old’s worldwide image, and could make a an approach in a bid to mirror the impact his presence has had on the MLS.
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However, a number of French media outlets believe that he will choose between Paris Saint-German and Monaco, with the capital city club the more likely option.
Meanwhile, multiple Chinese Super League teams are thought to be monitoring the situation, and could make lucrative offers to tempt the former Real Madrid man to finish his illustrious career in Asia.
Newcastle reflect on the Christmas period mourning what could have been. After gut wrenchingly losing at Old Trafford 4-3 to a Javier Hernandez sucker punch, they again managed to lose scoring 3 at the Emirates a few short days later.
In the end the victory was more comprehensive for Arsenal than maybe it should have been as Theo Walcott took the limelight and certainly put his case for a new contract in the headlines again.
The Magpies know that they are tiring and will be desperate for new faces in January and with Mathieu Debuchy on his way that will be a welcome relief.
Demba Ba reportedly had unsuccessful talks with Chelsea over a move during the transfer window and Alan Pardew has demanded that this saga is put to bed immediately as it begins to affect the team morale. He has continued to score goals, but whether he will start after the last round of speculation is a hot topic of conversation on Tyneside.
Newcastle have been shipping goals and Williamson needs to forge a partnership alongside Coloccini if they are to have any chance on Wednesday night.
Everton on the other hand will be looking to continue their charge towards European qualification and the top four. The return of Marouane Fellaini will be a huge boost and will for sure bring a lot to the side with his aerial and physical ability. He also remains their top goalscorer.
The Toffees though will travel to the North East hoping to see out the result this time after letting Newcastle twice get back in the game in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
The injury lists remain pretty lengthy for both sides. Newcastle remain without Steven Taylor, Cabaye, Ryan Taylor and Hatem Ben Arfa for the immediate future. Danny Simpson has sustained a toe injury and is expected to be out for the next 3-4 games so Perch is likely to fill in.
Everton will have to make do without Phil Neville, Tony Hibbert, Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas as they are all on the injured list. Gibson came off with a thigh strain against Wigan on Boxing Day, but should be fit and Fellaini returns from a three match suspension.
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Steven Pienaar’s goal for Everton against Chelsea on Sunday was his club’s fastest in the Premier League since 2008 – when Yakubu netted after 47 seconds against Portsmouth, and they will hope to get off to a flyer here too.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Everton
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While clubs scour the globe to find the next goal scoring gem to fire them up the table, their answer could be closer to home than they are looking.
Darren Bent is a man who has been frozen out completely in the Paul Lambert regime at Aston Villa, despite no public confirmation of the two falling out. However common sense would suggest that something is wrong when a manager isn’t playing a striker who has scored more Premier League goals than anyone else over the last four seasons, bar Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
While appreciating the fact Christian Benteke has done well up front for Villa this season, he is still a raw talent and I can’t personally see why Lambert would shun a proven goal scorer such as Bent while his side face a relegation battle.
I understand the 28-year-old is one that will divide opinion for his lack of contribution in games apart from the goals themselves, but regular scorers like him are gold dust as at the end of the day, goals win games.
He is the kind of player who enjoys the responsibility as well, and one who won’t shy away from putting himself in the right positions even when the chips are down.
Going back to his record over the last four seasons, while Rooney has an impressive 72 to his name, followed by Van Persie on 68, it is Bent who comes in third with 62 in 117 games worth of Premier League football, impressive by any standards.
By pointing out those stats, I am not for one second suggesting that he is a striker that clubs with title aspirations should be looking to bring in, but if you’re asking me if I think he would have scored more goals than the likes of Giroud and Podolski have for Arsenal? I would be inclined to say yes, although I am aware that more was expected from the pair and that Arsenal’s ambitions are beyond players such as Bent.
I am making a point that you don’t always have to bring in players from abroad. Although it is understandable that a lot of the time managers do this to avoid the inflated transfer fees often given to Premier League players. I am targeting this piece at clubs who could afford to sign Bent.
When you look at the likes of Steven Fletcher, who moved from relegated Wolves to Sunderland, and Demba Ba who earned himself a switch to the European Champions from Newcastle, it shows the success that can be gained from looking closer to home when it comes to transfer dealings.
For a club fighting for survival, it is even more of a risk signing a player from another country in January and pinning the hopes of survival on them, without any time for him to bed into his new surroundings. It is also a lot easier to settle into a club that is doing well, as Papiss Cisse’s January move to St James’ Park showed last season.
Alan Pardew’s Newcastle have to consider themselves in a relegation battle now. After losing Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse looking a shadow of his former self, and Shola Ameobi never being the most prolific, the Magpies boss is on the search for a new source of goals as it is very difficult to stay up with a lack of fire power in the team.
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I wouldn’t put it past QPR boss Harry Redknapp coming in with an audacious bid for Bent either, after already snatching Loic Remy from under the noses of Newcastle in a bid for survival. While he had his own altercations with Bent during his time in charge of Tottenham, famously commenting on a chance the striker had missed during a game as one his “missus could have scored”, he will be aware of his qualities.
The England international has just returned from an injury lay off and of course Lambert may rule out any move for him this winter, with his side in a very delicate position in their fight to stay in the Premier League. However if he was to become available, even if it was in the summer, then I believe clubs should take a look at him.
At 28-years-old, he still has plenty to offer and if Villa do let him go, then I feel it could be a suicidal move and the difference between them staying up and going down.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes that Cristiano Ronaldo return to Old Trafford would be great for British football and not just the Red Devils, according to talkSPORT.
The Real Madrid winger has been linked with a return to Manchester in the summer as the harmony around the Madrid squad was at an all-time low earlier this season after falling so far behind Barcelona in the league table.
Atletico Madrid are also heading their neighbours in La Liga and Jose Mourinho’s future at the club may be defined by how far the Galacticos go in the Champions League.
Ronaldo scored in both legs against his former club as Madrid progressed at United’s expense in controversial circumstances.
It is possible that both Ronaldo and Mourinho will leave Madrid in the summer and both of the Portuguese stars could be on their way to Manchester.
Neville believes that Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford would not just benefit United, but the whole of British football.
“The rumours are growing around Manchester from the fans because he left in [exceptional] circumstances.
“Not many players would leave United and say they wanted to leave United and still get such a great reception, but they always recognised it was his dream to play at Real Madrid.
“There is no secret to the fact that he misses the security, the stability and the friendships that he had in Manchester and the reception he got the other night was special for him.
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“Forget Manchester United, I think, from a British football point of view, having Ronaldo back in the Premier League would be a great result for everybody because to watch him week in, week out, would be a pleasure.”
Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper is set to end his time on Tyneside in the summer after the North East club refused to offer him a new contract.
Harper has given 20 years of service to his boyhood club but has made just 155 league appearances for the Magpies as the 38 year old continues to play second fiddle at St James’ Park.
Shay Given dominated between the stick for the majority of Harper’s time at the club and now Dutch hotshot Tim Krul and impressive stopper Rob Elliot have the one and two spots between them.
Whether you feel Harper has shown great loyalty to the club or a distinct lack of ambition, it is extremely rare to see a player stick to a single club for 20 years and that is something to praise.
Harper is continuing to pick up his coaching badges but is yet to make a decision on his long term future after the summer.
“It has been a privilege to be a professional at such a fantastic football club,” Harper told the Evening Chronicle.
“If you had said to me as a raw kid from Seaham I’d be at the club for 20 years as a professional, I would have said you were mad.
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“People describe the club as an emotional roller-coaster and it certainly has been. I’ve had some fantastic times here. There have been some difficult times as well, but I have enjoyed it all.”