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Liverpool have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh transfer update this week.

The Lowdown: Haaland a sensational prospect

In terms of the players most likely to take on the mantle from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best player over a sustained period, Haaland is arguably at the top of the list.

The 21-year-old has already achieved great things at Dortmund, scoring a remarkable 80 goals in just 82 appearances, not to mention registering 21 assists, too.

He has been described as a ‘freak’ by Norway teammate and Watford striker Josh King and there looks set to be a big battle for his signature this summer.

The Latest: Liverpool linked with move

According to sources in Spain, translated by Sport Witness, Liverpool are considering making a shock move for Haaland at the end of the season if Mohamed Salah ends up leaving.

It is stated that the Norwegian would demand higher wages than the Egyptian, however, which could be an immediate stumbling block.

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The Verdict: Seems highly unlikely

While the idea of Liverpool signing Haaland is hugely exciting, given his potential as possibly the best player of his generation, it is extremely hard to see a move happening.

In truth, the Reds simply can’t offer the same wages as someone like Manchester City or Real Madrid, and it is far easier to see him joining one of those clubs instead.

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The hope is that Salah stays on, of course, with the Egyptian a priceless figure at Anfield whose possible exit this summer would hurt deeply. Him remaining on Merseyside is surely still the preferable option over signing someone else instead, even though he turns 30 later this year.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with another exciting attacking signing. Read more here.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is confident his ageing squad can win the league title, but he is keen to sign younger players.The Portuguese manager, 33, is aiming to better their second-place finish in the English Premier League last season after taking the reins following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.

Villas-Boas said he was confident his experienced contingent, including captain John Terry (30) and Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba (both 33), could take the London club to their fifth league title.

“The market that we have moved in at the moment, and the players we have shown interest in, they are also of a young age so they are also looking into the future – the future of this club,” Villas-Boas said on Friday.

“You might see similar moves in the future from us because the squad is old – it’s one of the oldest squads in the Premiership.”

“But we respect them and we are happy we have enough quality – we have to be able to challenge for the title. But we are also looking into the future and the options we are looking at in the market at the moment are also looking into the future.”

The Stamford Bridge outfit edged Manchester City to second spot on goal difference last campaign, finishing nine points adrift of champions United.

Villas-Boas said he expected the big six – Chelsea, United, City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham – to contend for the title.

“Manchester United are the title holders and will be a reference for everybody, but you can see the amount of activity that Manchester City have had in the market, which shows pretty clearly that they have a title objective as well,” he said.

“Liverpool did more or less the same (as City). Tottenham want to get back to the first four of the Premiership so they’ll be challenging as well and Arsenal is always a threat.”

Chelsea complete their tour of Asia against Aston Villa in the final of the Asia Trophy on Saturday.

They face Scottish champions Rangers on August 6 before beginning their Premier League campaign against Stoke City eight days later.

Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that he would relish a return to management in England with the big clubs in England. The Italian suggested that Wenger is up against it Arsenal, while claiming that with Capello set to be replaced by an Englishmen for the national team there is likely to be a vacancy to fill at the end of the season (Tottenham job anyone?)

Elsewhere in the news today Everton pledge action on unruly fans; Maiga wants Newcastle move, while Chelsea toy with Stadium move.

 

Capello wants a win in Montenegro

Ancelotti wants management role in England

Chelsea toying with Stadium move

Revenge on Scholes’ mind

Everton pledge action on unruly fans

Wenger gives up on title ambitions

Niall Quinn moves roles at Sunderland

Maiga wants Newcastle move

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Andy Carroll thanks Liverpool fans

Sagna leg break confirmed

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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is unhappy with his side’s upcoming fixture list, that will see The Reds play two games in the space of 48 hours.

The Anfield outfit take on Manchester City on Sunday 27th November in a 4pm kick-off, before travelling down to London to face Chelsea in the Carling Cup on the following Tuesday night.

The Scottish coach has admitted to trying to shuffle the fixtures around, and is frustrated by the lack of understanding from the Football League.

“It is disgraceful in this day and age that players are being asked to play a key Premier League game and then a League Cup quarter-final in London just 48 hours later,” he stated to Liverpool’s official website.

“It’s understandable with the Spurs v PAOK Salonika (Europa League) match and the TUC rally that the Met Police have said that our game cannot be played on the Wednesday.

“But it’s surely the duty of the football authorities to think of other solutions which consider the welfare of the players and this clearly hasn’t happened.

“When we ask the Football League to move our game to a later date, we’re told it’s impossible. Where’s the logic in that?

“If the Football League want to devalue their own competition, that’s up to them, but they shouldn’t then be upset if people use these games to help in the development of young players.

“The one thing I will say to our fans is to think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game.

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“We do not want them spending their money and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Chelsea look set to beat rivals Arsenal and Tottenham in the race for Bolton defender Gary Cahill when the transfer window opens in January the Metro understands.

Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas is keen to strengthen his back line and it’s now being reported that the Blues have an agreement in place to sign Cahill.

The 25-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal and Tottenham in the summer with both clubs failing with late bids for the player who’s form over the last 18 months has seen him become a regular in the England setup.

Valued at around £15 million by the Trotters boss Owen Coyle described the offers from North London as ‘derisory’ but with Cahill’s contract expiring at the end of the season his price will be significantly reduced come January.

It’s likely the centre back will look to leave the Reebok Stadium at the start of next year with Bolton currently rooted to the foot of the Premier League table.

With Cahill looking to maintain his place in the England squad a move to Chelsea will appeal to him as they can offer Champions League football as well as a chance to challenge for the league.

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Spain striker Fernando Torres has been told by international manager Vicente Del Bosque that unless he starts scoring for Chelsea, he will not feature for the world champions.

El Nino was not even named on the bench for the Spaniards 6-0 win over Liechtenstein on Tuesday, with the European side having an embarrassment of riches in attack, and was forced to watch the game from the stands.

Del Bosque has explained his selection process, and urged Torres to start finding the net for his club if he wants to feature in Euro 2012.

“Torres is an important player, but those who stand out with their clubs will get the call to the national team, not the other way around,” the former Real Madrid boss told the Spanish press.

Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo started the match on Tuesday, scoring two goals, and reveals that Torres congratulated him on this feat.

“He came down to the locker room after the game and congratulated me. I’m not going to get into whether he was upset or not. I would understand it if he were, because it is not pleasant to come and then not play a minute. But he is still a great team-mate and one of the national team’s captains,” the forward stated.

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Torres has had an ill-fated time at Stamford Bridge following his £50million move from Liverpool in January, and will find the competition for first team places even more intense this season with the summer additions of Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku.

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The modern day player’s power over his employers is becoming a massive issue within the world of professional football.

It’s an all too common occurrence to see players submitting transfer requests, feeding stories to the media or even plainly refusing to play in a bid to get their own way, whether that be a move to another club or a pay rise.

Sir Alex Ferguson spoke out about this trend, claiming that a player no longer being tied to their club is damaging the game:

“When I first started out in management 37 years ago there were no agents. Imagine that!

“There was no freedom of contract either, so players were totally tied to their clubs.

“A change in that sense was inevitable, though I think that now the scales tipped completely in the other direction and I’m not sure it’s good for the game.”

Love or loathe him, its fair to say that the Scot has a point, with a player’s influence and power at a particular club becoming a dangerous problem.

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Sir Alex knows this all too well thanks to the Wayne Rooney episode of 2010. Rooney declared that he was going to leave the Manchester club due to serious differences with his manager and a lack of ambition on the part of the Red Devils. But, what do you know, a matter of weeks later the striker has signed a new deal on wages of around £200,000-per-week. All of this came with great influence from his agent, Paul Stretford.

Fergie would not have let this happen in the past, as we saw with David Beckham’s departure from the club, but Rooney’s influence and the threat of other clubs, namely local rivals Manchester City, meant that United could not allow their man to move on.

Whether or not Rooney wanted to leave isn’t clear, but the whole episode worked out well for the ex-Everton man, who increased his pay packet, and increased his level of authority around the club. Coincidence or carefully planned between agent and player?

It’s a similar case with Carlos Tevez at City. The Argentine forward wanted to move for personal reasons, so he refused Roberto Mancini’s request for him to come on a substitute against Bayern Munich. This sparked an almighty bust-up between the two, resulting in the Italian claiming he would never pick the striker again. Tevez could not find a club anywhere willing to meet his inflated wage demands, so as a result apologised in a bid to re-enter the Manchester City first-team squad. It remains unclear whether Tevez actually wants to be playing in the sky blue shirt, or whether he is simply looking to showcase his undoubted talents in a bid to manufacture a move elsewhere to secure another big pay day for himself and his representative, Kia Joorabchian.

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Whether we like it or not, players’ influence within clubs is a massive factor. They know their importance, both on and off the field of play, and some cynical individuals will always seek to use this to their advantage. Sir Alex may well have a point.

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Summer signing Scott Parker has stated that if Tottenham’s form continues they can challenge for the title, and feels his current side are the best he has played for.

A comfortable 3-0 win over Bolton on Saturday makes it nine wins in ten games for Harry Redknapp’s men, who are currently third in the Premier League behind the Manchester clubs.

Parker wants the excellent run of form to continue, and for the White Hart Lane outfit to be in contention come May.

“At the moment our form suggests we can get up there and give it a go,” he told Sky Sports.

“There is still a long way for us to go. It is new for us but we are consistent at the moment and long may it continue.

“On our day we can beat anyone but you have got to realise that when you are at the top you have got to come out with three points even when you are not playing well by grinding out results, and on a couple of occasions this year we have done that,” he added.

The England international won the Premier League November player of the month award after impressive showings, and his doggedness in the centre of the park has released some of Spurs’ more attacking players.

Parker has hailed the ability of the forwards at the club, and feels this is the most able group of players that he has been a part of.

“I’ve probably not played in a team that plays better football than this one.

“We have an exceptional team and it is a joy to play in it every week. There are some very good players – not just in the team, but in the squad as well.

“At any moment in any game we have got players who can score goals and change a game,” he concluded.

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Parker’s battling qualities will be needed next Sunday, as Tottenham travel to take on Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

By Gareth McKnight

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Aston Villa were dealt some devastating news yesterday afternoon as their captain, Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute Leukaemia.

The Bulgarian fell ill after last week’s defeat against Arsenal with a fever and although the initial feeling was that he was suffering from a viral infection, blood results have confirmed that Petrov has got acute Leukaemia that requires immediate treatment.

Villa boss Alex McLeish said that he has spoken to Petrov and insists that he will get the best medical attention possible:

“We certainly think it’s in the early stages and ‘Stan’ will get the best medical attention possible,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I spoke to him about half an hour ago. He’s typical Stan, defiant, but I think obviously he’s concerned about how it’s affected his loved ones.

“I knew he was getting more tests after the viral condition we thought it was last week when he had a temperature and reported to the doctor after the game on the bus journey back.

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“The players will be gutted but hopefully galvanised to win this game for their captain tomorrow, Stiliyan I’m sure he will be rooting for the lads tomorrow and sending some of the vibes for these boys to be inspirational for this game against Chelsea.”

The twenty first century demand for instant success is endemic in our society, and football doesn’t escape that. People such as Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour’s acquisition of English clubs has served to increase this attitude at an exponential rate, but the fact is that it existed prior to these influences. Huge club debt, soaring transfer prices and the decrease in connection between fans and their clubs are all clear effects of this worldwide movement; but one of the most disappointing areas that it affects is youth development within clubs.

It’s disappointing not just for our international scene but also for fans who want to see players pulling on the shirt for their club who have an actual affiliation with it. Some of the greatest players this league has ever seen have come through club youth systems. You only have to look at the products of West Ham’s academy, or Arsenal’s or the famed nineties Man Utd team to see what can be achieved through blooding your own players. Look at Barcelona’s current team, how many of the starting eleven were produced at no cost other than that of the coaching? But it seems that very few are no prepared to invest sufficient capital and energy into such ventures.

Attitude

One thing we can definitely put it down to is the attitude of wanting instant success. The famously over-used Alan Hansen phrase “you can’t win anything with kids” is thrown about as some kind of excuse for not bothering to attempt to really blood youngsters. The fact is however that the year Hansen said that about Man Utd they won the league and FA Cup double. So it proves how much weight that statement should really have. I think one problem is not just the owners wanting instant success, but also the fans putting pressure on the owners to implement it. It would be too simplistic to blame it on foreign owners or managers coming in and not caring about the youth prospects at the club, although this does happen; all fans need to realise the part they play in this issue.

Money

One of the main reasons has to be money, though. If you look at the clubs in our country that are currently known for making an effort with their youth prospects they are normally the ones who lack or want money. Firstly there’s Arsenal who, although relatively rich, have become quite obsessed during the Wenger tenure with not spending money. They want to stick to their self-sustaining business model with only the occasional outside help. Then you have clubs like Everton who have produced Rooney, Rodwell and others in recent years but again don’t have a penny to their name. West Ham have produced players that make up a large number of recent and current England internationals. But for the clubs that have money there is less of an incentive.

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Not only do the big clubs seem less concerned about taking on more debt, but the gap between large and small clubs is ever increasing in terms of monetary clout. The result is that it just seems easier for the big clubs to treat other people’s academies as their own and sign the players they want for reasonable fees when gems arise. The teams that do produce these players are provided with incentives (money) to do so but soon with the introduction of the EPPP that may disappear too. Then what will we be left with? The smaller clubs producing players for their teams through necessity as they might not be able to afford to buy players and then, because of the EPPP, they will now receive barely any money as a result for producing these players so the financial gap between big and small clubs will increase and there will be even less reason for the big clubs to produce their own players. Even as a supporter of a ‘big club’ I find the situation farcical.

The large clubs with the best coaching staff should realise that their academies have the potential to produce the best players. I know that occasionally they do produce good players but it is not enough. Look at Chelsea: the brightest talent is supposed to be Josh McEachran. He has been their ‘brightest talent’ for years but does he get any real playing time? And who else have Chelsea produced that has made a name for themselves? John Terry? Well done, one player in the last ten years who was any good.

Since the announcement of the fair play regulations there have been movements by a lot of clubs to recruit young players to their academies, but there are two problems with this. Firstly, if you recruit a player at eighteen it’s not quite the same thing as them being a product of your academy, and secondly, once again teams are only doing this because of money.

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The lack of sufficient coaching and good academies in this country is a real problem and instead of simply pandering to the top clubs the FA and the Premier League should have got together, worked out how to increase incentives for all clubs to produce their own players and provide better protection for the parent clubs that do so. Instead of thinking that relying on home grown players is a recipe for disaster, clubs should view their academies as the perfect tool to complement their first team squad. This is something that not many teams have got right in recent years. Arsenal have tried but have leant a bit too much towards their youth and others like Chelsea have basically ignored their graduates. There is a common ground, but perhaps clubs need a helping hand from the authorities to get there.

Follow Hamish on Twitter @H_Mackay

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