”I’ve extended my contract and I’m staying with Bayern until 2016. Long live Bayern!” – Just the words that Manchester United fans didn’t want to hear. Up until his announcement, Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger had been linked with a potential summer move to Manchester United. It’s quite a loss for United – Schweinsteiger is one of world football’s best midfielders. He’s a genuine box-to-box player, has boundless energy, an incredible drive, a passion and determination that sees him dive into every challenge with everything he’s got. He’s also supremely talented – he’s good on the ball, delivers well from a set-piece and has been known to knock home the odd screamer.
All of these aspects of his being make him easily comparable to Manchester United’s Paul Scholes. Both are quality all round footballers with a competitive edge that makes them not just talented, but winners through and through. Scholes is 36 now, and despite still being an important part of Manchester United’s squad, can only have another couple of years left at the very highest level.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was being touted as a potential replacement for Scholes when he eventually retired or left United. Now that that possibility has been quashed, who can United turn to? I don’t believe for a moment that Anderson, O’Shea, Fletcher, et al will ever reach a level similar in quality to Scholes. I think it’s fair to say that Manchester United will have to look outwards for their inspiration.
One man who could fill the Scholes shaped void is Roma’s Daniele De Rossi. Despite being something of a one-club man, Roma may be persuaded to sell if United were to make an impressive offer. De Rossi is a real force. Energetic and passionate, De Rossi would add strength and steel to any midfield you care to name. He has the defensive nous of Mascherano and the vim and vigour of Steven Gerrard.
The next candidate is another Inter Milan player: Sulley Muntari. The Ghanaian has Premier League experience through his time at Portsmouth (‘07/’08) and I believe he has the ability to fill Schole’s boots. He’s a genuine ball-winner, he’s committed and has a wonderful positional sense. It’s his immaculate reading of the game that must make him such an enticing prospect.
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However, the perfect man to replace Scholes has to be Wesley Sneijder. He’s tough, versatile, has an impressive engine, and like Schweinsteiger, is something of a deadball specialist. He currently plies his trade for Inter Milan, yet you can’t help but feel as though he would fit into the Premier League with the greatest of ease. He’s competitive and he can give and take tough tackles. He would be a perfect fit.
Fun Fact: Schweinsteiger is German for “Pig Climber”. For more ‘knowledge’ feel free to follow me on Twitter: @ThePerfectPass
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Professional football is a notoriously ruthless business. The game is littered with stories of players cast aside after failing to make the grade, however, once a player reaches the top level, an uncharacteristic amount of faith and patience can come their way.
The recent signing of Kieron Dyer by QPR is a fantastic example of such faith. Dyer made 30 appearances in four injury blighted years at West Ham United and yet he has now been signed by another premiership club. Does Neil Warnock really believe that he can get a full season out of Dyer? Does this move simply show that there is a startling dearth of players available who have experience at the top level? Such a severe shortage that a player of Dyer’s woes is a tempting option.
The signing of Jonathan Woodgate by Stoke raises the same questions. Woodgate appeared 4 times for Spurs in the last 2 seasons. He has been plagued by injuries since 2004, and yet he is still considered a top defender, still worth the gamble. It seems that once you have shown yourself capable of competing at the highest level, managers will display an unending amount of faith and patience in your ability to recover. The hope that you will rediscover the form that once made you a top premiership player does not fade quickly. The possibility of a bargain and a glorious renaissance keeps managers interested far longer than the fans.
Both players have been signed on a pay-as you-play deal, eliminating potentially huge losses such as those suffered by West Ham where Dyer picked up a reported £83,000 a week during his spell. Even so, do these players represent good business? In a sport where careers can be so brutally short, why are these players deserving of such patience?
Would you take a gamble on this man?
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Tottenham have made Iago Flaque’s loan move from Juventus permanent, and immediately loaned him out to Southampton for the rest of the season.
The Spain under-21 midfielder has impressed in a temporary deal at White Hart Lane and Harry Redknapp has moved to secure the prospect’s services.
Falque has made six first-team appearances this season so far, mainly in the Europa League, and has been farmed out to The Saints to get more experience.
“I’m very happy to be here at Southampton, and I am looking forward to training with my new teammates who have proved this season that they are very talented,” the youngster stated to The Championship side’s official website.
“I hope that I can help the team to great things this season.”
Meanwhile, Southampton boss Nigel Adkins feels that Falque will be an asset to the south-coast club, and hopes he can help the club back to the Premier League.
“He’s a very exciting player and I’m pleased that we’ve got him on board and I think the supporters will be excited by what he can do on the pitch.
“Like many of our players he’s a player who can play everywhere and he’s someone who can play on the left, on the right and in the number 10 position behind the striker, so he’s a talented footballer and one who I’m sure is going to excite everybody.
“Tottenham rate him highly and have loaned him out to ourselves where he will become another addition to the players that we’ve got to give us that opportunity to get back into the Premier League,” he concluded.
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Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho’s inflammatory post-match accusations could be subjected to action by Barcelona.Mourinho was left enraged following Pepe’s sending off in the 61st minute in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg, which also led to his dismissal to the stands and an ensuing 2-0 defeat to Barcelona at the Bernabeu.
Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona take a healthy advantage heading into the return fixture against their arch rivals at Camp Nou next Tuesday.
And the Catalan club is now deliberating whether it can refer Mourinho’s stinging post-match statement, in which he declared Barcelona constantly received favourable refereeing decisions to the UEFA Disciplinary Commission.
A statement on the club’s official site read: “Barca’s legal department will study the declarations made by Jose Mourinho following his team’s 0-2 defeat at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night to determine whether to refer them to UEFA.”
Mourinho claimed Barcelona were being afforded preferential treatment by match officials in his press conference after the loss, drawing parallels with his experiences as then-manager of Chelsea in the 2008/09 Champions League season.
“But I just do not understand why Barcelona always receives the help of the referee. All my life I will be asking myself this question, and one day I hope to receive an answer,” Mourinho said.
“I don’t understand why Barcelona have this power. It happened two years ago to Chelsea, almost to my Inter last year, and also to Arsenal this year.”
“Why do the opponents of Barcelona always have a man sent off? Where does this power come from? Maybe it is to give more publicity to UNICEF, maybe because of the power of (Spanish federation president Jose Angel) Villar in UEFA.”
Opposite Pep Guardiola refused to be drawn into a war of words and instead focused on his side’s winning performance.
After Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland at The Emirates on Saturday, I sympathise with them. They were very unlucky. They deserved a penalty for the rugby tackle by Titus Bramble and they had a legitimate goal disallowed. Both decisions led to Arsenal not getting 3 points, which on another day they could so easily have won. However, Arsene Wenger’s comments at the end of the match could prove to be detrimental for Arsenal, particularly with the impending match against Barcelona.
His first comment on the refereeing was “I’m too disgusted to speak about it frankly”. He continued, “these kind of decisions have too big an impact on the Premiership”. Wenger had clearly lost his cool and was feeling hard-done-by. And his bitterness over Arsenal’s continued lack of silverware came through when he said “It’s not the first time”.
The implication seems to be that ‘the whole world is against’. Furthermore, it shows that Wenger felt these 2 points could cost them the Premier League. These comments will only bring previous failures and injustices to the surface.
Obviously, this might not have been the worst thing Wenger could have possibly said, but I think these comments will have done nothing to help his team.
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I was much more impressed with Wilshere’s attitude. He saw the game as a “good point” and added that there was a “long way to go in this title race”. This showed a side of maturity to Wilshere that I had not previously realised.
And Wilshere is right, Arsenal can still win the Premiership, they just need to keep their cool and play to their strengths. They still have to play against Manchester United in the Premier League. At the time of the interview, Manchester United still had to play against Liverpool on Sunday.
Now, United’s loss will no doubt have calmed Wenger down, but if they had won, Arsenal’s morale would have taken a huge dent. Those opinions of Wenger could have damaged more than just their Premier League hopes.
Admittedly Alex Ferguson has overreacted in recent weeks too, but I would not criticise his style of management to the same degree. He is a master of mind-games and has seen so much success at Manchester United.
In Giggs, Scholes, Van Der Sar and Ferdinand (the list goes on) they have experienced winners. Most importantly, Manchester United are not playing a hugely high-billed Champions League game on Tuesday.
Furthermore, they don’t have a recent record of giving away leads, or collapsing. The results against Newcastle and Birmingham will be lurking in Wenger’s mind as he goes to the Nou Camp, and after his comments it could well be in the player’s minds too.
Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that managers are human beings. As a spectator I welcome their passionate overspills. But Wenger’s timing could not be worse. If I were an Arsenal fan I would want a bit more composure from my manager. Wenger’s comments only highlight the fact that he is getting desperate.
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To be honest, that is exactly what Arsenal are. They are desperate to win a trophy. But Arsenal’s future success will not be won through over-reaction, they will come from self-control. We have seen just how good they are going forward, but they need to match this with a sense of discipline in defence. The defenders need to match the calm of Wilshere not the desperation of Wenger.
They bounced back well from the Newcastle slip up to beat Barcelona 2-1 at home. This time, the challenge is a lot harder. They need to put a lot behind them; the Birmingham defeat and the injustice of the Sunderland game, and I hope they do, as in Europe I support all English teams.
Manchester City first team coach Fausto Salsano has admitted that the club are keen to sign Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi from Serie A side Napoli the Mirror reports.
Salsano revealed that the pair are top of manager Roberto Mancini transfer hit list with the Italian still desperate to strengthen a squad still fighting for trophies on four fronts.
During their time at the Stadio San Paolo Slovakian playmaker Hamsik and Argentine striker Lavezzi have become regarded as two of the brightest stars in European football and Salsano has admitted City are monitoring their progress carefully.
He said: “Manchester City are watching Napoli very carefully. I can confirm Mancini’s interest in Hamsik because I have been to watch the Slovak.
“Marek has become a very important player with the right experience. Lavezzi, on the other hand, is a devastating player who can hurt you one-on-one. Hamsik and Lavezzi are players we like because our aim is to do great things.”
The coaches comments are likely to infuriate Azurri boss Walter Mazzarri with the Naples club in the same Champions League group as City and news of their interest could potentially unnerve the duo with bid from the Etihad Stadium is expected in January.
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West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison is the latest high-profile footballer to land himself in trouble for comments made on Twitter, The Sun reports.
Morrison, 19, responded to a fans criticism with the following:
“Go suck out u little f****t. Your a guy that talks if u see me you try slap me I’m in manchester every week.”
This is the latest in a long line of incidents from both professional football players and fans that show Twitter can be a dangerous tool, in the wrong hands. Morrison has been heavily criticised for his use of homophobic language, as well as proving he’s an idiot, incapable of using correct grammar.
What Morrison, and many others don’t seem to grasp is that whatever you say on Twitter is treated in the same way as if you said it to the person in ‘real life’.
Take Lee Steele for example. The Oxford City striker was sacked by his club last month, and rightly so. This was after Steele made some disgusting homophobic remarks about fellow sportsman Gareth Thomas (Oxford Mail).
There are many other examples of Twitter being (mis)-used by so called professionals. Joey Barton is the obvious example. The QPR captain recently escaped prosecution for potential contempt of court, after airing his views on the John Terry racism saga (BBC).
QPR owner Tony Fernandes is a prolific ‘tweeter’, and according to ex-manager Neil Warnock, his relationship with Fernandes was ‘slowly poisoned’ due to Twitter, culminating in Warnock losing his job (Guardian). This shows the how far-reaching the effects of Twitter are, and the impact it can have on everyone in football, even managers.
I haven’t even mentioned the fans yet. Some fans using the site have found themselves facing legal action as racism has reared it’s ugly head into the game once more.
On Monday, two Sunderland fans pleaded guilty to sending racist tweets directed at Demba Ba and the Newcastle squad (Guardian). This comes at the time when two 17 year olds were given final warnings for yet more racial abuse on a Newcastle player, this time Sammy Ameobi (Mail Online).
So as you can see, Twitter can be a very dangerous tool when in the hands of certain indivudals. This can happen at all levels of football, be it players, fans or those in management.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. The vast majority of fans using Twitter see it as a great way of communicating with their heroes. Most players use it to air their views and opinions with fellow professionals, pundits and their millions of fans.
It’s just a shame the few idiots who misuse it are tarnishing it’s reputation.
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Cruzeiro opened their Copa Libertadores campaign in style by thrashing Estudiantes de La Plata 5-0 on Wednesday.
A tight contest was expected between two of last season’s quarter-finalists, but forward Wallyson put Brazilian hosts Cruzeiro in front within the first 60 seconds of the Group Seven match at the Arena do Jacare.
Roger made it two on 17 minutes and Argentine champions Estudiantes found themselves 3-0 down when countryman Walter Montillo breached their defence in the 38th minute.
Midfielder Montillo struck again to put Cruzeiro 4-0 up just before the hour mark and Wallyson also finished with a brace after completing the scoring at 5-0 eight minutes from time.
The emphatic win sees Cruzeiro top Group Seven on goal difference ahead of Colombian side Deportes Tolima, who beat Guarani on Tuesday.
Union Espanola salvaged a point thanks to a last-minute penalty in their all-Chilean Group Four clash with Universidad Catolica.
Hosts Union went ahead through Leonardo Monje two minutes into the second half at the Estadio Santa Laura, before Lucas Pratto levelled for the visitors.
Five minutes later midfielder Fernando Meneses gave Catolica the lead and they looked to be heading for an important opening victory, before Braulio Leal equalised from the spot in the 90th minute.
Reigning champions Internacional of Brazil opened their title defence with a 1-1 draw away to Ecuadorian club Emelec in Group Six.
Internacional, who beat Mexican outfit Guadalajara 5-3 over the two legs of last season’s final, took the lead through Mario Ariel Bolatti in the 79th minute at the Estadio George Capwell.
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But midfielder Fernando Gimenez rescued a share of the spoils for the hosts with an equaliser in the 90th minute.
In the other match in Group Six, second-half goals from Miguel Martinez and Ricardo Esqueda helped Chiapas of Mexico secure a 2-0 win over Bolivian side Wilstermann.
In Group One, a brace from Heber Arriola and a German Alemanno strike gave Peruvian champions Universidad San Martin a 3-0 win away to Colombian title holders Once Caldas.
Kenny Dalglish looks set to reignite his interest in Adam Johnson in January with the hope of sparking some creativity into Liverpool’s midfield.
The Anfield club’s start to the season has been fairly inconstant and Dalglish would see Johnson as an exciting addition, bringing an extra dimension to their wide play.
Liverpool were heavily linked with former Middlesbrough player during the summer and it has been rumoured on footybunker.com that the deal could finally be pushed through in January.
Roberto Mancini has always expressed enthusiasm for Johnson and has said he wants to keep him at the club.
But being on the fringes of the team and only making fleeting substitute appearances has done nothing for the promising wingers career, especially his international hopes with the European Championships in Ukraine and Poland next summer.
When he has played for City he’s been impressive and it seems a waste for such a talented player to not be on the pitch as regularly as possible.
Since taking over at Anfield, Dalglish has actively sought young British players, including Jordon Henderson, Charlie Adam, Andy Carroll and Stuart Downing, therefore Johnson would fit this ethos perfectly.
The asking price is rumoured to be around the £10-15m mark, well worth it for an England international and such a signing would undoubtedly prove popular with the Anfield faithful.
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Read more of Christopher Dyer’s articles at the excellent Transfer Tavern
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola was once again on the touchline barking out orders on Tuesday afternoon as he managed a group of Indesit Football Talent competition winners at The Emirates Stadium in the pouring summer rain. I caught up with him post-match to talk all things Chelsea, Champions League and his managerial future.
Did you enjoy today, did it make you want to get back into the managerial game?
It was great, it was fun, but above all it wasn’t about us. It was about the people that came here and spent the day like a proper footballer. But I enjoyed it; they enjoyed it which is the most important thing.
Also, for me personally, the closer you get to the pitch, the better you feel. Obviously if I could get even closer it would be even better! But we are getting ready for another opportunity and we will see when it comes.
So the Champions League Final on Saturday, are you excited?
Very much so, it is a game which has lots of expectations and I am sure it will be a great final. There will be a lot of emotions in there.
Without the likes of John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires, can Chelsea still win it?
Obviously it is a difficult task because they are missing key players and they are playing against a very good team in Bayern, but if you analyse the season of Chelsea they have been through difficult times but they always come through. Also, you can’t forget that in the team that will line up on Saturday, there are players that played in the final a few years ago in Moscow, so I am sure they will be doubling their attention and strength in the game. But I don’t think it is right to say that Chelsea starts the game having already lost it, I would pay respect to them.
How pleasing is it to see Roberto Di Matteo doing such a good job at Chelsea?
I am delighted, delighted for Chelsea, delighted for Roberto because he is a good guy, he is a Chelsea legend and Chelsea boy, so to see somebody doing well in your own club, you feel so pleased for that.
You often hear that he was a quiet character in the dressing room, were you surprised he actually moved into management?
Yeah, he is quite calm, he is laid back, but he has so much determination. In his career, I have known him for a long time and I know he looks quiet but he is a very, very determined and strong person.
He brought back Eddie Newton, so there is a few Chelsea old boys back at the club, are you expecting a call soon?
No, you know Chelsea is a great club for me and for those who have played there, but as long as somebody is doing well at the club and on top of that if they are someone who has played with you and is friends with you I am very pleased for that. It would be fantastic to have that opportunity, but as long as the club is so well looked after I don’t mind, honestly I really just wish for the club to do well, that’s the most important thing.
In a fantasy world and you were starting for Chelsea on Saturday, who would you like to play up front with, Didier Drogba or Fernando Torres?
I think Didier Drogba is the one who has to start on Saturday because of what he has done. He is a guy that every time they play an important game he puts his trademark on it which is a guarantee for Chelsea. Obviously Fernando has done quite well, he came back so strong and I am sure when he comes on he can make a big difference but Drogba is the man. In every single final or important game we play, he scores; he has been such a leader. I think he will start, but Fernando could come on and change the game.
So how close are you to getting back into management, have you given it a lot of thought recently?
Yes, there have been a few opportunities but I preferred to take a little bit of time off you know to do things for me, but now is the moment and obviously I am looking forward to finding a job.
Is it also nice to see Paolo Di Canio doing so well at Swindon?
Oh I am delighted. I spoke with him after the promotion and he has done a great job and he really didn’t have an easy task, he has done it in his own style. Paolo is Paolo!
What are your thoughts on Italy’s chances in Euro 2012?
Unfortunately, he hasn’t got the best team honestly, but they are a very young team and I like the manager very much. I don’t think that on paper they can win it, but football is so incredible because you can say one thing and it can just turn around, I don’t think they will win, but they will play a good tournament. I think the cycle is now going towards Germany; they have some great young players.
When you managed the Italy under-21’s, you briefly coached Mario Balotelli, how did you personally find him?
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Hard, sometimes he can be very hard, or he can be very easy it all depends on him. For me Mario can be a top player, when I say top player I mean top, top, top player but at the same time he has to understand that the person goes with the player. Your personality, the way you handle your temperament also determines the value of you as a player. Mario could be the player of the Euros, it is all down to him and I think he will have an important role. I saw the strikers and he will probably become one of the main strikers for Italy so he has a big opportunity, it is just down to him to use it in the right way. You can’t control it, I can’t control it, he is the only one who can do that.
Another place where you managed was West Ham, they are in the Play Off Final on Saturday, do you think they will go up?
They have a great chance, there is no doubt they have the best side in the Championship in my opinion, so the ball is on their hand. Whether they can do it I don’t know, but they have players in the team that have enough experience and quality to play these teams and games so we will see what they can do. I keep my fingers crossed for them, it is a good club and I really wish to see them playing in the Premier League.
Do you think you were harshly treated at Upton Park?
I think football sometimes is like that, it is a rule of football. Sometimes you have to work with a chairman and a club and your ideas are not appreciated and they want to get on with that and maybe do something else. I can’t complain though, I had a very good time with West Ham and I am very grateful for them to allow me to manage a Premier League club, I done what I was supposed to do there, with all the difficulties and I have no grudges at all.
Finally, is it true you went on an eventful fishing trip with Faustino Asprilla, how was that?
Yes, yes, it was absolutely terrible! You know when fishing you line up one next to each other and throw the ropes, but you have to be very careful how you throw it because the waves can take it close to the others ropes. He made such a mess of it. He crossed all of the lines and it took us half an hour to get all of the lines in. We had to cut them with scissors. Never again! We can maybe use him as bait! Good players, very good friend, terrible fisherman!
Robert Pires, Daniele Massaro and Gianfranco Zola coached winners of the Indesit Football Talents competition which offered football fans across Europe the opportunity to compete at Emirates Stadium. For more information please go towww.indesit.com/weworkyouplay