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.
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester City have started their pre-season with a tour of the USA as they target success in the Premier League and Europe next season.The FA Cup winners play Mexican side Club America on Saturday before a clash with MLS newcomers Vancouver Whitecaps two days later.
The players got the chance to relax and visited the home of the LA Dodgers baseball team, where goalkeeper Joe Hart threw the first pitch in the Dodgers’ MLB match with the San Diego Padres.
With the start of the new season approaching, City and the other top clubs are strengthening, and defender Vincent Kompany believes it will make the Premier League a more exciting competition.
“That’s a good thing and a good thing for the league and I think it’s not something that’s going to affect us too much,” the Belgian international said.
“We are getting stronger as well. One thing we are gaining and we are still going to gain in the future is that we know each other more and more, we’ve played a little bit longer with each other, it’s a different story for us now.”
“And with winning something last season, we have confidence so that’s an advantage we might have on certain clubs who didn’t win anything last season.”
Roberto Mancini’s side have brought in two players so far during the close-season transfer window in Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic.
And Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong believes the team have the right balance to challenge for major honours this term.
“The belief is the main thing,” De Jong said. “The belief has always got to be there. That’s the main thing the focus and the belief. I think this group is a year older again.”
“Most of the group still stay together and we are getting better and better by the day and we also know each other better.”
“Even the new signings can adapt really easily because the group is not so difficult. Everybody is always happy and smiling, so we hope this can be a big part for City and the success we get over the future.”
City kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to promoted Swansea City on August 15.
The image of today’s footballer is the one of a young man with too much money spending it on fast cars and page 3 models. Now in some cases this is a fair assessment but there are a few with a more eccentric side. We highlight ten footballers who lead very bizarre lives away from the football field, be it as a hobby or a second job. Below is a selection of what I call the new modern footballer.
[divider]
Click on image below to see the alter egos
Holy Crap – its live fantasy football! Become part of Man United v Valencia and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!
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.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Arsenal are ready to make a shock move for out-of-favour Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou , according talkSPORT.
The 26-year-old Ivorian is out of contract at the end of the season and, with Andre Villas-Boas ’ blessing, is ready to speak to interested clubs.
Kalou has only managed to start four games for Chelsea this season under AVB and looks set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.
This has alerted the attention of Arsene Wenger , who is looking to add to his striking options despite bringing back Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on loan.
It is understood that Wenger will offload either Marouane Chamakh , who seems to have lost his way since the return of Robin van Persie last January, or Andrey Arshavin , who has become more and more ineffective as the years have rolled by since his big money move from Zenit in 2009.
Wenger, who has been linked with Kalou in the past, is thought to have made an enquiry about a proposed move this month, with the Frenchman readying a £3 million bid to land him.
However, Kalou’s reported £90,000-a-week wages could prove to be a problem for the Frenchman, and will have to fight off interest from Italian outfit Juventus if he wants to acquire the Ivory Coast international.
Article courtesy of Tony Merakli from Gunnersphere
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
CONCACAF have made a dramatic back flip, re-instating Chuck Blazer as the federation’s general secretary.Blazer – a member of FIFA’s executive committee – accused AFC President Mohammed bin Hammam and FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner of corruption on Thursday, which led to the duo being suspended by the world’s governing body.
Blazer, whose allegations involved claims of corruption against Caribbean football federations, was removed from his post within CONCACAF after he received a letter from Lisle Austin – the temporary president of the federation in place of the suspended Warner – telling him his services were no longer required.
But just as news broke around the world of Blazer’s sacking, CONCACAF released a statement explaining that Austin did not have the power to remove the general secretary and that he would be re-instated immediately.
“Today an unauthorized declaration was made by Lisle Austin attempting to remove Chuck Blazer as General Secretary of CONCACAF,” the statement posted on the CONCACAF website said.
“This attempted action was taken without any authority. Under the CONCACAF Statutes, jurisdiction over the General Secretary rests solely with the CONCACAF Executive Committee which has taken no action.”
“Further a majority of the Executive Committee Members have advised Mr. Austin that he does not have the authority to take such action.”
“Chuck Blazer continues as CONCACAF General Secretary and with the full authority of his office. The Confederation continues its normal operations including the Gold Cup commencing on June 5th at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.”
The saga is just the latest episode in the FIFA corruption drama, with current president Sepp Blatter set to run unopposed for his current title on Wednesday.
Back at the start of the season, Heart of Midlothian were 150-1 to win the SPL and become the first non-Old Firm club since Aberdeen in 1985 to take the league championship. After beating Rangers 1-0 on Saturday, those odds shrunk to a remarkable 7-1, the bookies it seems are slowly warming to the idea of a serious title challenge from the Edinburgh club.
However, the club have been here before, and not so long ago. Back in October 2005 a Hearts side managed by former, Ispwich Town manager, George Burley stood six points clear at the top of the division after a scorching start to their league campaign.
Almost inevitably, it could not last. Hearts owner, Vladimir Romanov, already had a reputation for erratic behaviour behind the scenes, and in the months after his takeover in January 2005 it was becoming increasingly clear that he would not take a backseat in team affairs.
Even so, the news coming out of Tynecastle after the Jambos’ 2-0 win over Dunfermline that Burley had been removed from his post was a major shock, one that registered on the back pages across Europe.
It would be naïve to suggest that Burley’s departure cost the club a shot at the title that season, considering the experience contained within both of the biggest clubs in Scotland, there was every chance that with over two thirds of the season to be played that the championship could have gone anywhere.
The dismissal of Burley, followed by a controversial and fractured spell in charge for former Arsenal midfielder, Graham Rix, signalled a slump in the Jambos’ fortunes. A solitary Scottish Cup, the only silverware to show for the last five years.
Looking around the division, Hearts could not have chosen a better time to rise again. Both Old Firm clubs are in some considerable strife, and are in genuine jeopardy of seeing the championship trophy leave Glasgow for the first time since the first Police Academy film was in cinemas.
Rangers, in major financial trouble, have had to kiss goodbye to the league’s top goalscorer, Kenny Miller, no longer able to pay the wages many Championship sides would be able to handle. As a club they did themselves great credit as they pushed Manchester United and Valencia all the way in their Champions League group, however a lack of penetration at the highest level was blindingly obvious, and with the loss of Miller, the second half of the season will be tough.
It is not by any stretch a vintage era for Scottish football. The national team have not appeared at a major tournament for 13 years, and very few players see football north of the border as a viable option, either financially or in terms of career development. The period of UEFA Cup and Champions League glory nights look to be a thing of the past.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Celtic head the division, and meet their rivals from Edinburgh in a crunch clash on Wednesday night. The Bhoys were well beaten when the two clubs met at Tynecastle earlier on in the year, however, were Hearts to repeat the trick the title race would genuinely be wide open.
[divider]
Like the sound of a cross between Fantasy Football and eBay? Check out Player Manager now, it’s even better than it sounds!
This Saturday Leeds United play Nottingham Forest in the Championship as the race for the Premier League intensifies. There is just one point separating Leeds in 5th and Forest in 6th, so there couldn’t be more resting on the result. We spoke to Leeds manager Simon Grayson ahead of going head-to-head with Billy Davies at Elland Road…
How do you assess your season so far?
We have had a good season so far, we have probably over achieved slightly as it’s our first season in the championship after getting promotion from League One. But like ourselves, Norwich and Millwall have also acquitted themselves really well. We have given ourselves an opportunity to try and get into the playoffs at the very least. It’s been a good season we are very pleased with how we have played. We have had some ups and downs but that can be said for every club throughout the country.
Is promotion now a realistic target?
It is but there are another 12 teams who could say the same thing. There are teams who were favourites for the division who are around the play offs and then there are teams who are surprising people like ourselves and Norwich. We have got a great opportunity just like the other 10 or 12 teams to achieve an unbelievable target of getting to the premiership and hopefully we can do that.
What is it like to manage in a division that is as tight as the Championship?
It’s great there is never a dull moment; you can never think that you have cracked it because results have proven that over the last few weeks. With us getting beaten 3 nil at Swansea and then they go to Scunthorpe and get beat, that is the nature of it. It’s exciting and is going to be really close at the end of the season for a number of teams.
How much will gaining promotion last year help you with this season’s run in?
I think it will help us immensely but obviously we have got a few different players here now, but there is still a nucleus of the team that sampled that. I think last year we were under more pressure to get out of the division because we had to do it as a third attempt. This year there is not as much pressure but you have the pressure you put on yourselves to achieve that ultimate dream of getting into the Premiership and we enjoy it. If we don’t manage to achieve it this year hopefully somewhere down the line Leeds United will get to the premiership. The facilities, the fan base and the size of the club mean we deserve to be.
[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]
You play Forest at the weekend, how similar are Leeds and Forest in terms of their history?
Well they have fantastic history and are big clubs who played in Europe for many years. Both have had some fantastic individuals, we had Don Revie here and Brian Clough at Forest so you can go back and draw from the experience of what has happened in the past, but its all about the present. My players here and Billy’s players at Forest are trying to achieve that target of promotion. They have had a good season and we know it is going to be a tough game for us but history and tradition won’t count for anything at the weekend it will all be about who gets the three points that matters.
What do you think about the job Billy Davies has done at the City Ground?
He has done a great job, he has proven over the years that he is capable of doing it. When he was at Preston he got the play off final and with Forest last year missed out to Blackpool in semi-finals. This year they have got some good payers and obviously striving to get into the Premiership like a number of other clubs are.
What is it like to follow in the footsteps of managers like Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson?
I am very proud. I am a Leeds United fan anyway from when I was growing up so to be the manager here is quiet surreal really. I started here as a young kid and worked under Howard Wilkinson, but the legacy that Don Revie left in the first place and then Howard with the academy and the group of players that came through speaks volumes for the football club. If you can be compared to them in the future then you know you will have done a decent job, but I have a lot of work to do in order to achieve that.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Does the history and size of the club increase the expectation from supporters?
I don’t think there is as much this year. Every club should have a huge amount of pressure on them because fans pay the money and expect their clubs to do well. There has to be a realistic ambition from the club and its supporters. This year we have had a realistic ambition of surviving in the Championship first and foremost. Finishing halfway would be nice but obviously now we are where we are there is a great opportunity to get promoted. Now the players should thrive on the pressure and enjoy it. Real pressure is at the other end of the scale where you don’t get paid very much. You’re playing in front of one or two thousand people and before you know it you might be out of the game. My players have a great opportunity playing for this football club.
How proud are you of being able to help the club regain its financial stability after their relegation to League 1?
Immensely proud, but first and foremost it’s about my professional job that I do and I want to be a successful manager. I did ok at Blackpool and got promotion under my belt and then got the job here and got promotion. I just want to do the best job I can no matter what club I am at but while I am at Leeds United, for what I hope will be many more years to come I want to try and achieve something. It will be extra special if I can get this club back into the Premiership.
Visit the Dugout www.yahoo.co.uk/dugout for new interviews every week with England’s top football managers
Manchester City travel to the Midlands to face West Brom desperate to keep their noses ahead of rivals United at the top of the Premier League table.
They’ll be in for one of their tougher fixtures of the season against Roy Hodgson’s side who will be full of confidence after two successive wins on the road. The Baggies have soared up into the top half table on the back of those two victories and now sit seven points clear of the relegation zone. A mixed start to the season left Hodgson and his players facing a battle to pull themselves away from danger but after beating struggling Blackburn at Ewood Park last Saturday they emerged victorious from their trip to Newcastle four days later to fly into 10th. That win on Tyneside was arguably their finest performance of the campaign as they tore the Magpies apart on their own patch. Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie were the stars of the shower as they terrorised the Newcastle back four with their pace and movement with Odemwingie scoring for the second successive game. Those two will need to be on top form if Albion are to end 2011 on a high against the champions elect.
City have been simply delicious this year and will be hoping to end it in style starting with victory over West Brom to keep themselves ahead in the title race. Roberto Mancini delivered the FA Cup and Champions League football in 2011 but holding the Premier League title aloft in 2012 is the Italians primary objective. Their lead over fierce rivals United has been cut to just two points over the last month or so and maintaining that advantage will be tough going into the New Year. Defeat to Chelsea looked like it could possibly derail their challenge for the title but wins and clean sheets against Arsenal and Stoke in the space of four days has put them back on track. With a squad possessing players like Sergio Agüero and David Silva it’s inconceivable that City could throw away their chance at claiming Premier League glory. They’ll begin the second phase of their mission at the Hawthorns and will be confident of providing the Citizens faithful with a late Christmas present in the Midlands.
West Brom 10th : 21 points
Team news: Albion will be without key players Youssuf Mulumbu and Steven Reid after both picked up injuries at Newcastle on Wednesday. James Morison could return after missing the trip to Tyneside.
Key Player: Shane Long
What a season it’s been for Albion’s record signing so far with his performance against Newcastle arguably his best since he joined the club. Long’s pace and movement made him unplayable and he’ll be eager to pit his wits against City’s world class back four.
Manchester City 1st : 44 points
Team news: City are still without Micah Richards and Edin Dzeko but have no other injuries to report.
Key Player: Sergio Agüero
The Argentinean has been in stunning form since his big money summer move and with 16 goals to his name already he is already a shoe in for the Golden Boot. Will be expected to provide more goals in 2012 to ensure his debut season in England ends in success.
PREDICTION
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
West Brom will be full of confidence after consecutive wins but come up against a City side who are desperate to keep their place on top of the league. Roberto Mancini’s side should have more than enough to see off Albion at the Hawthorns.