Tag Futebol

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.

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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.

By Gareth McKnight

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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It is not often that such revered managers as Harry Redknapp are uncertain about their future at a club. However, reports on back pages last week claimed that the former West Ham legend is on the brink of leaving Spurs after new contract negotiations have come to a halt. Many fans at White Hart Lane will not want a new man at the helm considering the success that Redknapp has bought to the club. However, with the possibility that Tottenham will begin next season without Harry, these 5 replacements could prove to become as successful as their predecessor:

1. David Moyes

If you were to ask most Premier League fans who they would choose to manage their club, David Moyes would be at the summit of most shortlists. Having transformed the fortunes of Everton from a club battling relegation to a club with European ambitions every season, on a shoestring budget, has written Moyes into Toffees folklore. With any vacancy in England’s top division, Moyes’ name will always be in the equation. The Scotsman has remained extremely loyal to the Blue half of Merseyside, leading the club for 10 seasons. However, an approach from a club with Tottenham’s reputation may tempt Moyes to undertake a new challenge.

2. Jurgen Klinsmann

The current USA national team coach was once a beloved striker at White Hart Lane scoring an incredible 30 goals in just 56 games for Spurs during a fragmented 18 months during the 90’s. Although his managerial career has been less prolific, he guided Germany into the 2006 World Cup and some fantastic performances helped his country to a third placed finish. Klinsmann is not the most experienced of managers but if Levy is looking to hire someone who knows the club and is popular with Spurs fans, he need not look much further than the German.

3. Rafa Benitez

Having been without a job since his tenure at Inter was terminated, the well respected tactician tends to be on the short list of any managerial vacancy in the Premier League. His successful spell at Anfield indicates that he has what it takes to manage in England’s domestic league. However, what may be more of a positive attribute that Rafa could bring to Spurs, is his excellent record in European competition. No football fan needs to be reminded of what Benitez and his team accomplished in Istanbul in 2005. If Tottenham want to become regulars in Europe’s primary competition, a manager like Benitez may be just what they need.

4. Guus Hiddink

One of the most respected managers in world football, Hiddink has taken on some of the more exotic jobs in the game. Having transformed International teams such as South Korea, Australia and Turkey, and being appointed at some of the most elite clubs, to instil some levels of consistency and morale, Hiddink is widely regarded as the ”Mr. Reliable” of the managerial world. Although he has yet to complete his contract at Russian Giants Anzhi, Hiddink may be tempted by the project offered to him at White Hart Lane.

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There has been no decision as to whether Harry Redknapp will prolong his tenure at White Hart Lane. I am in no doubt that the majority of Tottenham fans would wish for the Englishman to continue his efficient work at the club. However, the 4 aforementioned managers may be the best appointments to succeed a man whose popularity at Spurs is yet to diminish.

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We all love a spectacular goal, and since the start of the Premier League back in the 90s, we have seen a fair few stunners. But what would you regard as the greatest Premier League goal of all-time? Would you go for a goal that required a great technique? Is a long-range strike what you’re looking for? Or does it all depend on how important the goal is?

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Compiled by Tom Jones

Up until recently, I didn’t know what a snood was. And now I do, I can’t helping thinking there are too many pansies in the game these days. Just imagine me walking out at Burnden Park in the 1960s wearing a snood and gloves. The Bolton fans would have loved that. And Bill Nick, too. He’d have banned them, no question. His idea of a football strip was one that had holes in it and had been worn 100 times. It wasn’t a proper outfit otherwise. In fact, we only got a new kit if we reached the FA Cup Final.

There was none of this fancy stuff – snoods, gloves, under garments, willy-warmers, or anything like that. We should ban it all on behalf of us old footballers who got grazed hands and knees, and froze to death while we were running around. I read the other day that boots worn by some of today’s top players can help keep your feet warm. What? I’m thinking about getting a pair to wear around the house. I could have worn them last weekend as I watched the Ipswich v Leicester game. It should have been abandoned when the referee took the players off, although I can’t imagine I’d like to tell Roy Keane I was cancelling a match that his side were winning 3-0.

Back in my day, fixtures were rarely cancelled because of snow. They normally laid a tarpaulin over the pitch, which solved the snow problem, but when you pulled it back it was hard as rock and as slippery as an ice rink. If they’d left the snow on it would have been easier to play. I remember up at Manchester City one year we could hardly stand and lost about 5-1. But that was all part of the game. Sometimes we’d have grounds like that, other times it would be a mud heap. Nowadays they’re all like billiard tables. We had to adapt dramatically. There were times you could not pass a ball 20 yards because it got stuck in the mud. You had to lift it or chip it, and all these various skills came in to play over the course of the season.

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I had to laugh at Wayne Rooney complaining last week that Christmas was a difficult time for footballers. You don’t know you’re born, sunshine! We played Christmas Day and Boxing Day. One year at Chelsea, we were home to Portsmouth on Christmas Day and away to them on Boxing Day. We won 7-4 and then lost 3-0. How do you work that out? Christmas morning at Stamford Bridge would be a full house. Men would watch the game, have a pint and go home for dinner. It was a good tradition.

The one perk we had at Tottenham was that they’d give us a turkey each and a bottle of perfume for the girls. The perfume was worth about sixpence and the turkey was all right, although it always looked like it had given itself up rather than been caught. At Chelsea we didn’t even have a Christmas party and if we did in Milan, I wasn’t invited. We used to have them at Spurs until it all got a bit out of hand.

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The first team had finished training, so we went to the White Hart and started having a decent drink. One of the reserve team players was ordered to get us, so we sent him packing. Eventually Cecil Pointon, our trainer, came in and said: “Come on, lads.” But we insisted he had a drink first. By the time we got back for the festivities, Bill Nicholson had a face like thunder. The board of directors were sitting there with all the rest of the players – the reserves, third team, youth team – and there were the star pupils staggering in. We all sat down and started throwing rolls – it was mayhem.

As the chairman got up, Dave Mackay shouted: “Sit down – you’re p****d!” It was pandemonium. And then dear old John White capped it all. You shouldn’t laugh, but it wasn’t an absolute sin to drink and drive in those days. On his way out, he took one of the main gates with him, collected it around the bumper of his car. That was the last party we ever had. Festive best wishes to you all!

The Dons may have won 2-1 on the night but ultimately the damage was done in the first leg.

It was a night in which everyone associated with MK Dons could be proud even if disappointed that our promotion hopes had gone for another year. What Dons lacked in the first leg they had more of in the second. They were more creative, the full backs got forward more and crosses were more accurate.

Falling behind early on in the second leg was not great, many would’ve thought it was done and dusted but being an MK Dons fan I know it’s never over until that whistle goes. I also know that every man that pulls on that shirt will not go down without a fight! And I was right, every single one of them showed hunger, commitment and desire. We had a few chances before we finally got our goal and it epitomised the Dons, we don’t score scrappy goals. Daniel Powell did well to get his strike away and find the bottom corner. You could see it instantly lifted us as we knew we had something to build on now. We had a stonewall penalty appeal turned down before the half was over. We don’t seem to get the rub of the green with decisions like that but we don’t let it affect us.

We started brightly in the second half, we had worked the ball down well with a lovely passing move before the ball was fed to MacDonald who couldn’t get the ball on target, as he poked it wide. Huddersfield hadn’t created a lot on the night, they were more prepared to soak up pressure from the Dons. However, just after the hour mark David Martin found himself making two vital saves to keep the Dons’ faint hopes alive. This was Huddersfield’s best moment of the match but our defence stood firm to keep the deficit to two.

Legs were starting to tire and you could see that everyone was putting in everything they had, none more so than Deano who looked like he had nothing left to give. We are blessed to have Shaun Williams as a centre half as his pace is one reason we didn’t concede again, he made very timely interceptions. Robinson had decided enough was enough and there was no better time to go for it. After another good game from Chicksen he was replaced by Chadwick and Bowditch replaced by Ibehre. We had changed to have 3 at the back in the hope of pushing forward to get another goal to get the nerves jangling.

The Dons kept pushing forward as much as possible not fearing the threat Huddersfield could pose. It was do or die time, we had to score, we couldn’t sit back and if we conceded as a result at least we tried. Thankfully we didn’t but it was close. Robbo brought Smithy on for MacDonald with about ten minutes to go. The boos didn’t bother him one bit, in fact I think he almost enjoyed them. In injury time Jabo was denied by two top class saves but from the resulting corner Smithy stooped low to give the Dons a second goal. Ultimately it was too little too late but the Dons could be proud that they didn’t go down without a fight. They gave everything to the cause tonight and were by far the better team.

Another season of being just the bridesmaid but another season which was full of drama, goals, passion and pure football. I’m proud to be an MK Dons fan and cannot wait to see what next year has in store!

You can follow me on Twitter and read even more of my writing on my personal blog

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