Inter Milan manager Leonardo has reacted with disbelief at criticism directed at striker Samuel Eto’o.
Inter lost 1-0 at Juventus on Sunday, widening the gap between them and Serie A-leading city rivals AC Milan to eight points as a result.
Eto’o was the chief target of blame for the loss, but he was defended by his manager on Tuesday.
“I don’t know how someone can criticise Eto’o,” he said.
“It really takes some cheek. Eto’o has scored (24) goals this season. He sometimes might not time things right or have the space because he’s strictly marked, but it does not make sense to say that there is a problem with Eto’o.”
Leonardo and Inter are readying themselves for Wednesday’s trip to Fiorentina, who are undefeated in three games in February.
The Brazilian is under no illusions as to the task at hand.
“Well, we have played against many teams when they were in their best form: Napoli, Palermo and now we’ll be playing against Fiorentina,” Leonardo said.
“Maybe this is the destiny of a big team: to face teams in good form. I think that Fiorentina have started very well this year and have achieved a great win in the last match.”
“I think that our team has alternatives, but we’re a very compact side that has the ability to perform in the big matches.”
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Leonardo also touched on the retirement of former national teammate Ronaldo, and was liberal with his praise of the ex-Inter striker.
“I think that Messi is playing so well, but as far as I’m concerned – after Maradona and Pele, who are two untouchable myths in the football world – comes Ronaldo,” he said.
“It’s like losing a fortune, I don’t know how to say it. I think he will be among the best players: after Maradona and Pele, there will be Ronaldo.”
Birmingham City forward James McFadden has played down rumours suggesting that he is pushing for a new contract at St Andrew's.
The 27-year-old Scotland international's current deal runs until the end of next season and McFadden is calm about the prospects of a future agreement.
He told the Birmingham Mail:"I was asked the question and, yes, I would like to get it sorted, but I am in no rush.
"My contract runs out at the end of next season and the club have got a two-year option.
"But if I play a certain amount of games I get one for myself, so it is not a big drama.
"There are other players speaking at the moment about contracts. There is not a lot of progress, but I am not worried.
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"I would like to get it sorted but I'm not going to complain. I'll wait and see what happens."
McFadden joined City in January 2008 from Everton and has since scored 13 goals in 83 appearances in all competitions.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
When this new Premier League season begun back in August many would have expected few teams to still remain unbeaten going into October’s fixtures. Champions Manchester United? Probably. Massive spending Manchester City? Almost certainly. Aston Villa and Newcastle United after losing various key players? Ye…..hang on a minute! Don’t you mean now perennial title challengers Chelsea? Nope. Or how about big spending and revitalised Liverpool? Certainly not. Finely balanced and attacking Spurs? No no no! Strange as it may seem, as the first league fixtures of October ended, there are four Premier League teams who are still yet to taste defeat this season in the league; first placed Manchester United, second placed Manchester City, fourth placed Newcastle United and seventh placed Aston Villa.
Undefeated and flying under the radar of some of the supposed ‘bigger’ clubs in the Premier League Newcastle United and Aston Villa are enjoying a fine start to this season. Even the most ardent supporters of these two clubs would have struggled to believe they would be unbeaten after 7-league games, after the extremely turbulent summer they witnessed. To be honest, many must have feared the worst. Let’s start in the north-east on Tyneside.
Newcastle were still reeling from the loss of local lad Andy Carroll as the summer began, but with the transfer window now open again, here was a proper chance to use the huge sum of money they received for their former striker and replace him. Instead, talk was of an exodus of more key players, due to broken promises and contract issues. Captain Kevin Nolan was first high profile name to leave. What must have confused (and maybe embarrassed) fans of the Toon Army was the fact that he left to join a side in the Championship! Next to leave and following in Carroll’s footsteps was the much vaunted Spaniard Jose Enrique, amidst a flurry of unhappy Twitter messages. Finally, never to be outdone in the controversy stakes (and certainly not on Twitter) was a certain Joey Barton, who appeared to spend most of his time fighting with the board but staying on the right-side of the fans, before making-up with the management team, then leaving for newly promoted QPR on transfer deadline day.
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Three more key players had departed, and their replacements seemed a little underwhelming. In came midfielders Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid from France, followed by another Frenchman, albeit from Manchester United, Gabriel Obertan who had endured a nightmare career thus far with the Champions in England. The striking role was filled by yet another Frenchman with experience of the English league with West Ham in Demba Ba. Enrique’s replacement was found in one time promising Italian left-back Davide Santon. Those six players were hardly household names to the average supporter, but somehow manager Alan Pardew has moulded an impressive unit with Cabaye in particular standing out from the bunch. The retuning Ben Arfa from long-term injury also seems like a new signing. Other than an Arsenal in turmoil, Newcastle are yet to face any side fighting for a top-four finish and beyond so sterner tests are to come, although they have beaten their derby rivals and a tough Wolves side away from home, whilst drawing with fellow surprise packages Aston Villa.
Villa also had their fair share of traumatic events during the summer and many feared they too, would be left worse off. Against the backlash of appointing Alex McLeish, former manager of their most hated rivals Birmingham City, Villa fans with disgruntled from the off, to say the least. Making things seem worse, something Villa fans have had to become accustomed to during the summer transfer window also occurred; they lost their best players. Off went Ashley Young and fans player of the year Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively, whilst also losing ever-green keeper Brad Friedel. In fairness, a great replacement in Shay Given was signed to take his place in goal, and Spurs duo Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas also came in, adding Premier League experience. The long pursuit of Charles N’Zogbia also ended and came in as a perfect wing replacement for Young/Downing.
However it is the return to form of Gabriel Agbonlahor that has helped Villa remain unbeaten in the league this season, firing in 4-goals in 7-games. Perhaps even more influential in keeping their unbeaten status is new keeper Shay Given who seems to perform highlight saves every fixture. Similar to Newcastle however, tougher tests are yet to come for Villa as they too are yet to face any of the clubs who are challenging for honours this season.
Are both clubs getting the credit they deserve thus far? Probably not. Will they remain unbeaten all season? Again, probably not….but who knows? It’s a funny old game!
If you want to read more from myself including news, thoughts and views you can follow me on Twitter @fantasista1077 thanks!
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Newcastle manager Alan Pardew bemoaned the injury to striker Shola Ameobi after his side lost 1-0 at Fulham on Wednesday.
After a busy transfer deadline day that saw key striker Andy Carroll sold to Liverpool for 35 million pounds and fellow forward Xisco depart on loan to Deportivo La Coruna, Pardew is now facing a striker shortage that threatens to derail his side’s Premier League campaign.
And the manager’s disappointment at losing Carroll was compounded when Ameobi left the Craven Cottage pitch after just 10 minutes with a suspected fractured cheekbone.
It left Pardew with the untried pairing of Leon Best and substitute Nile Ranger up front, with both failing to make an impact.
“Shola’s injury has not helped our cause, it’s another blow following the one on Monday,” Pardew said.
“We need to rally together and I thank them (the club’s fans) for their support at Fulham.”
Pardew admitted his side were second best at Fulham, who won thanks to a second-half strike from Damien Duff.
“We did not play well enough tonight. The pitch was not the best and didn’t help either team, but we did not threaten enough and we could have been a lot better,” he said.
“They didn’t let us play much, it was a tight, tense affair. But we have Arsenal on Saturday and hopefully we will come away with better points.”
Fulham boss Mark Hughes was happy with his side’s improving form, with Wednesday’s result coming just days after their 4-0 trouncing of Tottenham in the FA Cup over the weekend.
“We scored one, could’ve had a number of others, had good clear chances and could’ve won more comprehensively,” Hughes said.
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“Probably as pleased with the performance and result tonight as I was at the weekend.”
“It was difficult for us in the first half. Newcastle came to stop us playing our normal game. They penned us in and, really, that wasn’t the game that we wanted to play,” he said.
“Second half, we had to address that and make sure we imposed ourselves.”
Everton are remaining optimistic of their chances of keeping hold of John Heitinga despite continual interest from Fenerbahce, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The Istanbul club are currently in talks with the Toffees over a potential move for Nigerian centre-back Joseph Yobo and it is believed they want the Netherlands international to follow his team-mate to Turkey.
Yobo has spent the last two years on loan at Fenerbahce who hope that the lure of Champions League football will be enough to tempt Heitinga away from his position at Goodison Park.
The Super Lig runners-up are believed to have made a bid of £5.5m and are willing to off the Dutchman higher wages, but David Moyes does not want to sell the defender.
The Scot is intent on solely improving his squad and is hopeful of re-signing Steven Pienaar to the Merseyside club after a failed spell at Tottenham Hotspur.
Following the agreement to let 32-year-old club icon, Tim Cahill, join New York Red Bulls on Monday, Moyes will not allow any other departures – Yobo aside.
Though it has caused tensions between the two clubs, Fenerbahce are likely to push through the transfer of the Nigerian.
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Heitinga’s contract runs until 2014 and despite interest from Italy and Russia he has declared he is not looking to leave Everton before the new season.
Bolton entertains Norwich City at the Reebok this weekend and you can watch the action in style, courtesy of another Football FanCast giveaway. We have teamed up once again with the good people of 188Bet who are providing an executive box for 10 people for Saturday’s game.
Both teams were on the wrong end of defeats at the weekend with Owen Coyle’s side the latest side to face the wrath of the Champions’ strike force that tore apart their defence at will. The result in fairness wasn’t a fair reflection of the play, but Bolton will be determined to get a positive result against the Premier League new boys.
Paul Lambert will also feel that the results haven’t mirrored the Canaries efforts so far this season and the Scot will be determined to see his Norwich side register their first win of the season. It promises to be a classic and the perfect fixture for your very own Premier League Box experience.
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La Liga club Atletico Madrid claim Chelsea offered them 52 million pounds for stars Sergio Aguero and Diego Godin.
Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil says the Premier League giants attempted an expensive double-swoop on two of the club’s best players during the January transfer window.
The news would not be surprising with Chelsea thought to be keen on signing a defender after the chase for Benfica’s David Luiz came to a halt when the Portuguese club rejected Chelsea’s 17-million-pound bid.
Gil also revealed that Chelsea were not alone in their pursuit of Argentine Aguero, with Real Madrid also making a 39 million pound offer for the in-demand striker.
“Yesterday I received an offer of 45 million euros (39 million pounds) from Real Madrid for Aguero and I said no,” Gil told AS.
“This week, Chelsea offered us 60 million euros (52 million pounds) for ‘Kun’ (Aguero) and Godin and our answer was the same.”
“I will not negotiate with Real Madrid or any other club for Aguero now or in the summer. Atletico have said no to the two offers because they believe in these two players.”
But Chelsea refused to comment on the speculation that the pair were on their way to Stamford Bridge.
“We do not respond to transfer rumours no matter how wild they are,” a club spokesman said.
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While Gil’s hands-off warning could sour Chelsea’s interest, they are reported to be seriously interested in the duo.
Aguero, just 22, has scored more than 50 goals for his club and regularly represents Argentina, while Godin has already won 43 caps for Uruguay at the age of just 24.
Chelsea look set to win the race to sign Brazilian wonderkid Oscar, beating Tottenham with a £25 million deal according to The Daily Mail.
The Internacional playmaker has gained plaudits for his performances for club and country, and has been selected for the Selecao squad for the Olympic Games.
New Spurs boss Andre Villas Boas had put the South American attacking midfielder to the top of his transfer wishlist, and the White Hart Lane side were thought to be the frontrunners for the star’s signature.
The Portuguese coach was thought to have made an £11 million bid for Oscar, but sources in Brazil state that the offer was closer to £18 million.
However, Roman Abramovich has dwarfed Spurs’ efforts to sign the Brazilian by offering £25 million, with a deal all but completed.
If and when Oscar is confirmed as the Blues’ next signing it will take Chelsea’s summer signing to over £65 million, with Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Marko Marin all already confirmed as new faces heading to Stamford Bridge.
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Spurs may now have to look at other options in their attempts to sign a creative player capable of filling Luka Modric’s shoes should he leave north London.
Manchester United defeated Barcelona 2-1 on Saturday in a friendly re-match of last season’s Champions League final.Barcelona lifted their fourth European crown with a 3-1 win over United at Wembley Stadium on May 29.
And although goals from Nani and Michael Owen helped the English Premier League champions come out on top at FedEx Field, Washington, the pre-season victory is unlikely to have been much consolation for United, who have lost two of the last three Champions League finals to the Spanish giants.
Thiago Alcantara struck for Barcelona, who were without Lionel Messi, Dani Alves and new signing Alexis Sanchez.
In other matches, Inter Milan defeated Celtic 2-0 despite being reduced to 10 men in their Dublin Super Cup pre-season match.
Luc Castaignos and Giampaolo Pazzini scored first-half goals to put the Italian side ahead at the Aviva Stadium, and despite Tiago Motta’s dismissal for a second yellow card, Inter held on to record a victory.
Inter remain second on the Super Cup table after day one following Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over an Airtricity XI of players from the Irish Premier League.
With new signing Sergio Aguero watching on from the stands, Roberto Mancini fielded a side largely made up of reserve and youth team players, but it made little difference as the English Premier League side controlled the match.
One of City’s forgotten men, Shaun Wright-Phillips, broke the deadlock on 52 minutes, before Adam Johnson made it 2-0 seven minutes later and young substitute Luca Scapuzzi finished off the victory with a third on 83 minutes.
City will face Inter on Sunday to decide the winner of the tournament.
In London, Arsenal threw away a two goal lead and were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors in the Emirates Cup.
Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey had given the Gunners a comfortable lead in the first half, only for defensive lapses to allow Lucas Viatri and Pablo Mouche to equalise for the Brazilian side after the break.
The New York Red Bulls top the Emirates Cup table after day one following their 1-0 win over French side Paris Saint-Germain, with Joel Lindpere scoring the winner in the 27 minute.
Fernando Torres was on target as Chelsea won the final of the Barclay’s Asia Trophy 2-0 against fellow EPL side Aston Villa.
Youngster Josh McEachran opened the scoring in the first half before Tores deflected a Florent Malouda strike past Villa goalkeeper Shay Given to register just his second goal in a blue shirt.
Blackburn easily defeated Hong Kong side Kitchee 3-0 in the third-place playoff.
Elsewhere, Everton beat newly relegated Birmingham City 2-1 at St Andrews, Bolton defeated Conference outfit Newport County 3-1 and Norwich won 3-0 away to Coventry City, while West Brom and Wolves also recorded narrow victories over Bristol City and Ipswich Town respectively.
Finally, La Liga runners-up Real Madrid defeated Championship side Leicester City 2-1, with Jose Callejon and Karim Benzema on target for the Spanish visitors.
Matt Le Tissier, Alan Shearer, Wayne Bridge, Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott… Lloyd Foot?
There are few British teams who can boast about having produced as many young talented players as Southampton FC with the South-Coast team’s youth system having turned-out some of the most highly-regarded players in the Premiership from Shearer to Walcott. And now the Saints Academy is looking to its next big talent – eighteen-year-old Lloyd Foot.
Standing at 6ft 2in, Foot has the stature of a commanding centre back, strong and domineering – arguably key traits in making it in today’s game. Influenced as a child by the likes of David Beckham and Steven Gerrard, Foot also possesses the leadership qualities to boot. However he sees his best attributes as his ‘style of playing out from the back and composure’, and he aspires to play like the Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio Ramos. I’m sure both Southampton and England would hope such comparisons materialise further.
He is hoping to follow the rapid ascendance of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who has this season progressed from the Academy into the first team at The Saints, and is currently a regular in the gossip columns with the papers focusing on his rumoured big money transfer to a Premiership side.
Foot though, and excuse the pun, has his feet firmly on the ground: “It’s hard to say when I’ll break into the first team, as you need experience as a centre back. Hopefully in the next few years but it’s up to the gaffer.” At the moment he is enjoying the thirteen-match unbeaten run the Southampton Academy side are on.
He puts the success of the club’s youth academy down to its structure. “The structure is brilliant. A lot of money is ploughed into it every year and all the coaching staff are really good.”
Whether or not Foot plays a direct role in the first team campaign this year, he is confident of the club’s chances: “I definitely think we’ll go up this year, and then next, if we could get a couple of good signings, we’ll hopefully do well in the Championship.”
It is at this level of football or higher where Foot envisages himself plying his trade in five years time. With such talent, commitment, and at a club that has such a good track record, it looks as if Foot could go all the way.
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