Showing posts with label English Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English Football. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Chelsea one year transfer ban?
the man who caused the trouble The reason of that they signed a contract with a young player "Gael Kakuta" from a french club "lens" without been negotiating with the team encouraging the player to break his contract with his team.
Chelsea will be banned from doing any transfers for one year this mean they are going to miss the next two transfers windows,the next time the english team would be able to sign with a new player is January 2011.
Chelsea called the penalty “without precedent” and “totally disproportionate” and said it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. Read more...
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Wayne Rooney : “I have never intentionally dived.”
Good one Wayne.
After last week’s blatant dive against Arsenal, Wayne Rooney was at it again yesterday, this time in an England shirt. The Manchester United striker has come in for some criticism in recent days after he stated that he has never intentionally dived, however judging by yesterday, Mr. Rooney is a liar.
Following yesterday’s friendly international at Wembley, Rooney had this to say on the matter : “I have never intentionally tried to dive, there have been times when I have tried to stay on my feet and tried to get the shot off rather than going down. I have never intentionally dived. I think everyone who watches me play knows I am an honest player who tries to be as honest as they can.”
Even the most ardent Manchester United fan would have to admit Rooney is lying when he says he has never intentionally dived. It’s a sad fact of modern day football that the large majority of players dive when they see an opportunity arise. As we have seen in previous weeks, UEFA have begun to take a firm stance against diving by banning Arsenal’s Eduardo for two games for his dive against Celtic and personally, I am fascinated to see if two game bans will be handed out on a more consistent basis.
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What now for Chelsea?
I’m sure we’ve all heard today’s news that Chelsea have been banned by FIFA from making any new signings in the next two transfer windows.
Chelsea have received the ban after French side Lens made a complaint regarding the signing of Gael Kakuta. Kakuta, who is now a regular in the Chelsea reserve team, was illegally induced to sign for the London club back in the summer of 2007.
Both Chelsea and Kakuta have also recieved large fines and the player has now been banned from playing football for a total of four months. This was part of the statement released by FIFA earlier today :
“This decision confirms our aim to ensure contractual stability. It is an important ruling for football in general.”
I really don’t know what to make of the whole story. Chelsea obviously tapped up the player somewhat, however they did the same thing with Ashley Cole back in 2006 and they only received a fine then. So what makes this case any different? Well to tell you the truth, I’m not 100% sure.
Today’s decision will no doubt have massive consequences for Chelsea Football Club. We all know that the current squad isn’t the youngest and let’s be honest, they could have done with adding a few new younger players to the squad. I doubt the appeal will go too well so it looks like Carlo Ancelotti will have to make do with the players he has now.
What do you think? Have FIFA been a bit harsh on Chelsea? Comments below please.
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Thursday, September 3, 2009
English Premier League Transfers 2009
Arsenal
In: Thomas Vermaelen (£10m, Ajax)
Out: Abu Agogo (free, Dagenham & Redbridge), Amaury Bischoff (released), Rui Fonte (free, Sporting Lisbon), Paul Rodgers (released), Rene Stoor (released), Havard Nordveit (loan, Nürnberg), Emmanuel Adebayor (£25m, Manchester City), Kolo Toure (£16m, Manchester City), Pedro Botelho (loan, Celta Vigo), Jay Emmaneul-Thomas (loan, Blackpool), Henri Lansbury (loan, Watford), Jay Simpson (loan, Queens Park Rangers), Samir Carruthers (free, Aston Villa)
Aston Villa
In: Courtney Cameron (undisclosed, Northampton), Samir Carruthers (free, Arsenal), Stuart Downing (£12m, Middlesbrough), Fabian Delph (undisclosed, Leeds United), Habib Beye (undisclosed, Newcastle United), Andy Marshall (free, Unattatched), Stephen Warnock (undisclosed, Blackburn Rovers), James Collins (£5m, West Ham United), Richard Dunne (£6m, Manchester City)
Out: Martin Laursen (retired), Gareth Barry (£12m, Manchester City), Stuart Taylor (undisclosed, Manchester City), Sam Williams (undisclosed, Yeovil Town), Zat Knight (undisclosed, Bolton Wanderers), David Bevan (loan, Ilkestown)
Birmingham City
In: Cristian Benitez (£9m, Santos Laguna), Scott Dann (£3.5m, Coventry City), Giovanny Espinoza (undisclosed, Barcelona Sporting Club), Joe Hart (loan, Manchester City), Roger Johnson (£5m, Cardiff City), Lee Bowyer (free, West Ham United), Barry Ferguson (£1m, Rangers), James O’Shea (undisclosed, Galway United), Gregory Vignal (loan, Lens), Teemu Tainio (loan, Sunderland)
Out: Stephen Kelly (undisclosed, Fulham), Mehdi Nafti (free, Aris Salonika), Radhi Jaidi (released), Artur Krysiak (released), Kemy Agustien (end of loan, AZ Alkmaar), Carlos Costly (end of loan, GKS Belchatow), Scott Sinclair (end of loan, Chelsea), Robin Shroot (loan, Burton Albion), Kristian Pearce (loan, Peterborough United), Artur Krysiak (loan, Burton Albion)
Blackburn Rovers
In: Elrio Van Heerden (free, Club Brugge), Gael Givet (undisclosed, Marseille), Lars Jacobsen (free, Everton), Steven N’Zonzi (£1.7m, Amiens), Franco di Santo (loan, Chelsea), Nikola Kalinic (£6m, Hadjuk Split), Michel Salgado (free, Real Madrid), Pascal Chimbonda (£2m, Tottenham), Nikos Giannakopolous (£52k, Asteras Tripolis), Filip Pivkovski (undisclosed, Malmo), Besnik Rustermaj (undisclosed, Malmo)
Out: Aaron Mokoena (free, Portsmouth), Roque Santa Cruz (£18m, Manchester City), Matt Derbyshire (£3m, Olympiakos), Josh O’Keefe (free, Walsall), Andre Ooijer (free, PSV Eindhoven), Tony Kane (free, Carlisle United), Keith Treacy (loan, Sheffield United), Mark Bunn (loan, Sheffield United), Alan Judge (loan, Plymouth Argyle), Alex Marrow (loan, Oldham Athletic), Gavin Gunning (loan, Tranmere Rovers), Ashley Chambers (loan, Leicester City), Paul Gallagher (undisclosed, Leicester City), Stephen Warnock (undisclosed, Aston Villa)
Bolton Wanderers
In: Sean Davis (free, Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (loan, West Bromwich Albion), Zat Knight (undisclosed, Aston Villa), Sam Ricketts (undisclosed, Hull City), Lee Chung-Yong (undisclosed, FC Seoul), Ivan Klasnic (loan, Nantes)
Out: Blerim Dzemaili (undisclosed, Torino), Temitope Obadeyi (loan, Swindon)
Burnley
In: Steven Fletcher (£3m, Hibs), Tyrone Mears (£400k, Derby County), David Edgar (tribunal, Newcastle United), Brian Easton (£350k, Hamilton), Richard Eckersley (undisclosed, Manchester United), Fernando Guerrero (loan, Independiente del Valle), Andre Bikey (undisclosed, Reading), David Nugent (loan, Portsmouth), Joe McKee (undisclosed, Livingston)
Out: Alan Mahon (free, Tranmere Rovers), Alex Macdonald (loan, Falkirk), Gabor Kiraly (released), Steve Jones (released), Adam Kay (loan, Chester), Chris Lynch (loan, Chester)
Chelsea
In: Ross Turnbull (free, Middlesbrough), Daniel Sturridge (tribunal, Manchester City), Scott Sinclair (loan return, Birmingham City), Yuri Zhirkov (£18m, CSKA Moscow), Nemanja Matic (£1.75m, MFK Kosice)
Out: Ben Sahar (€1m, Espanyol), Mineiro (released), Slobodan Rajkovic (loan, FC Twente), Jimmy Smith (free, Leyton Orient), Lee Sawyer (loan, Southend United), Tom Taiwo (loan, Carlisle United), Miroslav Stoch (loan, FC Twente), Ryan Bertrand (loan, Reading), Frank Nouble (undisclosed, West Ham United), Morten Nielsen (free, AZ Alkmaar), Sergio Tejera (free, Real Mallorca), Franco di Santo (loan, Blackburn), Scott Sinclair (loan, Wigan), Patrick Van Holt (loan, Coventry City), Michael Mancienne (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Mellis (loan, Southampton), Shaun Cummings (loan, West Brom), Claudio Pizarro (undisclosed, Werder Bremen), Jack Cork (loan, Coventry City), Andriy Shevchenko (free, Dynamo Kiev)
Everton
In: Mustafi Shkodran (undisclosed, Hamburg SV), Jo (loan, Manchester City), Anton Peterlin (free, Ventura County Fusion), Luke Garbutt (£300k, Leeds United), Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (undisclosed, Lokomotiv Moscow), Sylvain Distin (undisclosed, Portsmouth), Johnny Heitenga (£6m, Athletico Madrid)
Out: Lars Jacobsen (free, Blackburn Rovers), Andy van der Meyde (released), Nuno Valente (released), John Ruddy (loan, Motherwell), John Paul Kissock (free, Hamilton), Scott Spencer (free, Rochdale), Joleon Lescott (undisclosed, Manchester City), Lukas Jutkiewicz (loan, Motherwell)
Fulham
In: Stephen Kelley (undisclosed, Birmingham City), Bjørn Helge Riise (undisclosed, Lillestrøm), Damien Duff (undisclosed, Newcastle United), Kagiso Dikgacoi (undisclosed, Golden Arrows), Jonathan Greening (loan, West Bromwich Albion), David Elm (undisclosed, Kalmar FC)
Out: Moritz Volz (released), Collins John (undisclosed, Roeselare), Hameur Bouazza (released), Adrian Leijer (undisclosed, Melbourne Victory)
Hull City
In: Steven Mouyokolo (undisclosed, Boulogne), Jozy Altidore (loan, Villarreal), Seyi Olofinjana (£3m, Stoke City), Stephen Hunt (undisclosed, Reading), Kamel Ghilas (undisclosed, Celta Vigo), Paul McShane (undisclosed, Sunderland), Ibrahim Sonko (loan, Stoke City)
Out: Dean Windass (free, Darlington), Wayne Brown (free, Leicester City), Ryan France (free, Sheffield United), John Welsh (free, Tranmere Rovers), Micheal Bridges (released), Sam Ricketts (undisclosed, Bolton Wanderers), James Bennet (free, Darlington), Matt Plummer (free, Darlington), Michael Turner (undisclosed, Sunderland)
Liverpool
In: Zsolt Poloskei (loan, MTK Hungaria), Glen Johnson (£18m, Portsmouth), Chris Mavinga (undisclosed, Paris Saint-Germain), Stephen Sama (undisclosed, Borrusia Dortmund), Alberto Aquilani (£20m, AS Roma), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (£2m, AEK Athens)
Out: Sami Hyypia (free, Bayer Leverkusen), Godwin Antwi (released), Ronald Huth (released), Gary Mackay-Steven (released), Miki Roque (released), Paul Anderson (£250k, Nottingham Forest), Sebastian Leto (£3.3m, Panathinaikos), Astrit Ajdarevic (free, Leicester City), Jack Hobbs (undisclosed, Leicester City), Jermaine Pennant (free, Real Zaragoza), Ryan Flynn (loan, Falkirk), Alvaro Arbeloa (£3.5m, Real Madrid), Xabi Alonso (£30m, Real Madrid), Adam Hammill (undisclosed, Barnsley), Ryan Crowther (released), Andras Simon (loan, Cordoba), Robbie Threlfall (loan, Northampton), Krisztián Németh (loan, AEK Athens), Charles Itandje (loan, Kavala)
Manchester City
In: Nils Zander (undisclosed, Schalke 04), Gareth Barry (£12m, Aston Villa), Roque Santa Cruz (£17.5m, Blackburn), Stuart Taylor (undisclosed, Aston Villa), Richard Martin (loan return, Burton Albion), Carlos Tevez (£25.5m, Media Sports Investment Group), Emmanuel Adebayor (£25m, Arsenal), Kolo Toure (£16m, Arsenal), Sylvinho (free, Barcelona), Joleon Lescott (undisclosed, Everton)
Out: Joe Hart (loan, Birmingham City), Daniel Sturridge (tribunal, Chelsea), Darius Vassell (free, Ankaragucu), Danny Mills (released), Dietmar Hamann (released), Jo (loan, Everton), Michael Ball (released), Gelson Fernandes (undisclosed, St. Etienne), Richard Martin (released), Angelos Tsiaklis (released), Felipe Caicedo (loan, Sporting Lisbon), Ched Evans (£3m, Sheffeild United), Shaleum Logan (loan, Tranmere Rovers), Elano (£8m, Galatasaray), Valeri Bojinov (loan, Parma), Donal McDermott (loan, Chesterfield), Kasper Schmeichel (undisclosed, Notts County), Kelvin Etuhu (loan, Cardiff City), Tal Ben Haim (undisclosed, Portsmouth), Ryan McGivern (loan, Leicester City), Clayton McdonaLd (loan, Walsall), Richard Dunne (£6m, Aston Villa)
Manchester United
In: Antonio Valencia (£16m, Wigan), Michael Owen (free, Newcastle United), Gabriel Obertan (£3m, Bordeaux), Mame Biram Diouf (undisclosed, Molde), Paul Pogba (compensation, Le Havre)
Out: Carlos Tevez (end of loan), Cristiano Ronaldo (£80m, Real Madrid), Rodrigo Possebon (loan, Sporting Braga), Fraizer Campbell (£3.5m, Sunderland), Richard Eckersley (undisclosed, Burnley), Manucho (undisclosed, Valladolid), Mame Biram Diouf (loan, Molde), Danny Drinkwater (loan, Huddersfield), Danny Simpson (loan, Newcastle United), Tom Heaton (loan, Queens Park Rangers), Tom Cleverly (loan, Watford)
Portsmouth
In: Aaron Mokoena (free, Blackburn Rovers), Steve Finnan (free, Espanyol), Frederic Piquionne (loan, Lyon), Antti Niemi (free, Unattatched), Anthony Vanden Borre (loan, Genoa), Tommy Smith (undisclosed, Watford), Jamie O’Hara (loan, Portsmouth), Kevin-Prince Boateng (£4m, Tottenham), Aruna Dindane (loan, Lens), Michael Brown (undisclosed, Wigan), Tal Ben Haim (undisclosed, Manchester City), Hassan Yebda (loan, Benfica), Lee Williamson (£3m, Watford)
Out: Djimi Traore (undisclosed, AS Monaco), Theofanis Gekas (loan termination, Bayer Leverkusen), Glen Johnson (£18m, Liverpool), Andre Blackman (free, Bristol City), Sean Davis (free, Bolton), Jerome Thomas (free, West Bromwich Albion), Noe Pamarot (released), Lauren (released), Glen Little (free, Sheffield United), Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo (free, Standard Liege), Arnold Mveumba (loan, Lorient), Peter Crouch (undisclosed, Tottenham), Callum Reynolds (loan, Luton), Martin Cranie (undisclosed, Coventry City), Sylvain Distin (undisclosed, Everton), Tom Kilbey (loan, Dagenham AND Redbridge), Niko Kranjcar (undisclosed, Tottenham Hotspur), David Nugent (loan, Burnley), Matt Ritchie (loan, Notts County)
Stoke City
In: Andres Vasquez (free, FC Zurich), Dean Whitehead (£3m, Sunderland), Robert Huth (£5m, Middlesbrough), Tuncay Sanli (£5m, Middlesbrough), Diego Arismendi (£2.6m, Club Nacional), Danny Collins (£2.75m, Sunderland)
Out: Vincent Pericard (released), Jimmy Phillips (released), Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton (loan, Vauxhall Motors), Seyi Olofinjana (£3m, Hull City), Ben Marshall (loan, Northampton Town), Robert Garrett (free, Linfield), Ibrahim Sonko (loan, Hull City)
Sunderland
In: Fraizer Campbell (£3.5m, Manchester United), Paulo Da Silva (free, Toluca), Lorik Cana (£5m, Marseille), Darren Bent (£10m, Tottenham), Lee Cattermole (£6m, Wigan Athletic), John Mensah (loan, Lyon), Michael Turner (undisclosed, Hull City)
Out: Djibril Cisse (end of loan, Marseille), Nick Colgan (free, Grimsby Town), David Connolly (released), Darren Ward (released), Arnau Riera (released), Dwight Yorke (released), Michael Chopra (£4m, Cardiff City), Greg Halford (undisclosed, Wolves), Peter Hartley (free, Hartlepool United), Rade Prica (undisclosed, Rosenborg), Dean Whitehead (£3m, Stoke City), Jack Colback (loan, Ipswich Town), Martyn Waghorn (loan, Leicester City), David Dowson (loan, Darlington), Jean-Yves Mvoto (loan, Southend United), Jamie Chandler (loan, Darlington), Anthony Stokes (undisclosed, Hibernian), Paul McShane (undisclosed, Hull City), Danny Collins (£2.75m, Stoke City), Grant Leadbitter (£2.6m, Ipswich Town), Carlos Edwards (£1.35m, Ipswich Town), Teemu Tainio (loan, Birmingham City)
Tottenham
In: Kevin-Prince Boateng (loan return, Borussia Dortmund), Kyle Naughton (undisclosed, Sheffield United), Kyle Walker (undisclosed, Sheffield United), Peter Crouch (undisclosed, Portsmouth), Sebastian Bassong (£8m, Newcastle United), David Button (loan return, Crewe Alexandra), Niko Kranjcar (undisclosed, Portsmouth)
Out: Ricardo Rocha (released), Didier Zokora (£7.75m, Sevilla), David Hutton (undisclosed, Cheltenham Town), Danny Hutchins (undisclosed, Yeovil Town), Chris Gunter (£1.75m, Nottingham Forest), David Button (loan, Crewe Alexandra), Adel Taarabt (loan, QPR), Ben Alnwick (loan, Norwich City), Troy Archibald-Henville (loan, Exeter City), Gilberto (released), Cian Hughton (free, Lincoln City), Callum Reynolds (loan, Luton), Darren Bent (£10m, Sunderland), Kyle Walker (loan, Sheffield United), Jake Livermore (loan, Derby County), Adam Smith (loan, Wycombe Wanderers), Andros Townsend (loan, Leyton Orient), Jonathan Obika (loan, Yeovil Town), Pascal Chimbonda (£2m, Blackburn Rovers), Jamie O’Hara (loan, Portsmouth), Kevin-Prince Boateng (£4m, Portsmouth), David Button (loan, Crewe Alexandra), Sam Cox (loan, Cheltenham)
West Ham
In: Herita Ilunga (undisclosed, Tolouse), Luis Antonio Jimenez (loan, Inter Milan), Jack Lampe (free, Harlow Town), Frank Nouble (undisclosed, Chelsea), Fabio Daprela (undisclosed, Grasshopper-Club Zurich), Peter Kurucz (undisclosed, Ujpesti Football Club), Radoslav Kovac (undisclosed, Spartak Moscow), Alessandro Diamanti (£6m, Livorno), Manuel Da Costa (undisclosed, Fiorentina)
Out: Freddie Sears (loan, Crystal Palace), Joe Widdowson (free, Grimsby Town), Kyel Reid (free, Sheffield United), Lee Bowyer (free, Birmingham City), Diego Tristan (free, Cadiz), Walter Lopez (free, Brescia), Tony Stokes (released), Jimmy Walker (released), Lucas Neill (released), Jordan Spence (loan, Scunthorpe United), Savio Nsereko (undisclosed, Fiorentina), James Collins (£5m, Aston Villa)
Wigan
In: Jordi Gomez (£1.7m, Espanyol), Hendry Thomas (undisclosed, Deportivo Olimpia), Jason Scotland (£2m, Swansea City), James McCarthy (£1.2m, Hamilton Academical), Scott Sinclair (loan, Chelsea), Antonio Amaya (undisclosed, Rayo Vallecano), Mohamed Diame (undisclosed, Rayo Vallecano)
Out: Antonio Valencia (£16m, Manchester United), Henri Camara (released), Antoine Sibierski (released), Lewis Montrose (free, Wycombe Wanderers), Lee Cattermole (£6m, Sunderland), Michael Brown (undisclosed, Portsmouth), Ben Watson (loan, Queens Park Rangers)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
In: Nenad Milijas (undisclosed, Red Star Belgrade), Marcus Hahnemann (free, Reading), Kevin Doyle (£6.5m, Reading), Greg Halford (undisclosed, Sunderland), Andrew Surman (£1.2m, Southampton), Ronald Zubar (undisclosed, Marseille), Michael Mancienne (loan, Chelsea), Segundo Castillo (loan, Red Star Belgrade), Stefan Maierhofer (£1.8m, Rapid Vienna)
Out: Darren Potter (undisclosed, Sheffield Wednesday), Lewis Gobern (free, Milton Keynes Dons), Jason Shackell (loan, Doncaster Rovers), Elliot Bennett. (undisclosed, Brighton), George Friend (loan, Milwall), Mark Salmon (free, Athlone), Stephen Gleeson (undisclosed, Milton Keynes Dons), Neil Collins (loan, Preston North End)
Read more: http://soccerlens.com/english-premier-league-transfers/#ixzz0Q5RbAO64
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The most annoying transfer saga of the summer : Joleon Lescott to Manchester City
Has to be Joleon Lescott’s on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off-on move to Manchester City. Every day we were reading different reports about him leaving Everton, then he was staying and then finally he was going to Eastlands. In the end Lescott signed for Manchester City for a fee believed to be £23 million.
So, what other transfer saga’s annoyed you this summer? Comments below please.
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Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Kranjcar arrival signals the end for this Tottenham midfielder
As predicted yesterday by Football Corner, it has been a busy very day at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham have completed the signing of Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar for a fee believed to be around £6 million. That news looks to have also signalled the end for David Bentley, who is now holding talks with Manchester City over a possible move.
The England international has struggled for first team football since arriving in North London last summer from Blackburn. The former Arsenal midfielder was recently fined by the club after he was arrested for drink driving and it looks as though he has played his last game in the white of Spurs.
It has been claimed that Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has offered Harry Redknapp £10 million and Martin Petrov in exchange for Bentley and in my opinion, Spurs would be mad not to accept. It will be fascinating to see what happens over the next few hours so stay tuned to Football Corner.
What do you think? Would this be a good deal for Spurs? Comments below please.
Also, have you heard any rumours? Well we want to hear them.
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Three words to sum up Lucas Leiva
Well after yet another pathetic performance in a Liverpool performance, isn’t it time we had a proper go at Lucas Leiva.
Lucas scored an own-goal as Liverpool feel to an emabarassing 3-1 home defeat to Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa. I am sure you Liverpool fans will have something to say about the 22-year old.
So, Football Corner would like you, the readers, to sum up the Brazilian international (how is he an international player?) in just three words. Tell me your three words by leaving a comment below.
My three words : waste of space.
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West Ham on the brink of landing Arsenal and Sunderland target
West Ham are today close to completing the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after weeks of speculation regarding his future.
Chamakh, 25, has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League ever since the transfer window opened on July 1st, with Arsenal and Sundelrand also understood to be interested, however it looks as though Gianfranco Zola has today won the race.
The Moroccon international has never hidden his desire to move to England, however once a move to Arsenal was ruled out, talk of a move to these shores cooled. It is thought that Chamakh will complete his move to Upton Park some time this week, with £7 million likely to be the transfer fee.
I must admit, I have only seen Chamakh on a number of occassions at Bordeaux but whenever I have seen him play, I have been impressed. He has got bags of pace and he certainly knows where the goal is, scoring 56 goals in just over 200 appearances. I personally think he will be a huge hit at West Ham and I look forward to seeing him banging in the goals in England.
What do you think? Comments below please.
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Read more...Monday, August 24, 2009
Everton’s Demise: Confusing and Disappointing
While I can’t hide my glee at the Premier League being back in action, with all of that joy comes a bit of sadness. As a Manchester United fan I’ve already witnessed the ups and downs that every Premiership season brings, but even outside of my own club I have already experienced some dreadful emotions.
Everton Football Club brings the most sadness for me. While I’m not a diehard Toffees fan by any stretch of the imagination, I have always found a soft spot inside for the hard working people’s club of Liverpool. Couple that with the fact that they’ve got the USA’s number one goalkeeper, and you’ve got a second team of choice for any American.
This season, though, has brought far too much disappointment for David Moyes and his men. Two matches into their season, and two losses later, Everton fans – and football fans in general – are still scratching their heads at Everton’s woes.
I, for one, can’t put a finger on their problems. Look around the pitch and you’ll see some of the most exciting talent in the league. The defense in front of Tim Howard (who is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership) is solid: Phil Neville, Leighton Baines, Joseph Yobo, and Phil Jagielka are just some of the talented and experienced heads in the back.
Everton’s midfield is even better. Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini combine to form one of the Premier League’s most balanced midfields. Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta are two of the most skilled wingers with the ball at their feet, and goals have never been a problem for this foursome.
Up top Everton enjoys a wealth of riches. Louis Saha, while he missed his penalty against Burnley, has proven that he knows how to score. Combined with Jo and Yakubu, the Toffees front line has goals, pace, and power to spare.
Their manager is no slouch, either. David Moyes is one of the most proven managers in the world, and the man often tipped to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at United has a lot to figure out. The distraction of Joleon Lescott should end soon with his move to City imminent, and injuries to key players such as Yakubu and Mikel Arteta should be resolved soon.
So perhaps it’s that Lescott distraction, or maybe it’s the injuries. Whatever it is, Everton’s disappointing start to the season is a bit confusing for football fans. With so much talent spread around the pitch, Everton could find themselves challenging the top four for a Champions League spot. In order to do that, though, Everton will need to sort themselves out. Fast.
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Sunday, August 23, 2009
Is Lescott really worth £24 million?
It looks as though Manchester City have finally got their man, however have they payed too much for him?
Yes, after weeks of negotiating, Everton have tonight accepted a bid of £24 million for defender Joleon Lescott.
I must say, I’m delighted it’s finally over because it really has been wrecking my head over the last few weeks, however I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of it. The deal is likely to be finalised on Monday morning after Lescott, 27, completes the second part of his medical.
Everton boss David Moyes has already had many things to say about City’s pursuit of Lescott and I’m sure you will also have an opinion on it. I’m keen to hear what you have to say on the matter. Have City payed over the odds for their man or is it a bargain? Comments below please.
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Arsenal must spend if they want to challenge for silverware
That’s the opinion of Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin.
Arsenal have got off the a flying start this season, with Arsene Wenger’s men winning every competitive game they have played, scoring an impressive 12 goals, however Arshavin believes that they need to enter the market if they are to challenge for silverware.
“We still have to buy. That’s my opinion. We shouldn’t set Everton as a benchmark, we should be looking at the top teams of Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona. We should buy first-class players, regardless of their age. We should buy the ones who should improve our game. The top teams have much bigger squads than ours and that is why we have to buy.”
I’m not too sure I agree with Arshavin. Before the season started, I felt Arsenal were in desperate need of a few new faces, however, having seen them in their opening two league games against Portsmouth and Everton, I think they could manage without any new signings. Having said that, I would not be one bit surprised if Arsene Wenger does get the cheque book out before the transfer window shuts next week so stay tuned to Football Corner for all the latest.
What do you think? Do you agree with Arshavin? Comments below please.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Who needs Adebayor when you have this man
I, along with many others, thought Arsenal may struggle for goals without Emmanuel Adebayor but how wrong was I.
In two Premier League games this season, Arsene Wenger’s men have scored an impressive 10 goals.
Today’s 4-1 win at home to Portsmouth may not have been a surprise, however the goalscorers were. A certain Vaasiriki Diaby (I probably spelt that wrong) got on the scoresheet twice for the Gunners. His first goal was Adebayoresque. A stunning finish from the edge of the Portsmouth box.
With over a week of the summer transfer window still remaining, do you think Arsenal need to go out and buy a new striker or are they ok as it is? Comments below please.
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No more arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer
Before you read on, do you fancy winning a £500 Sony Ericsson phone? You do, then simply e-mail your name, address and answer to the following question to football.corner@gmail.com.
Question : Who won the first ever World Cup back in 1930?
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has today stated that he won’t be signing any more players before the transfer window shuts next week because he doesn’t need anyone.
The Premier League giants have been heavily linked with a moves for some of Europe’s top strikers, including Sergio Aguero and Alexandre Pato, however Ancelotti has told poured cold water on the rumours. Speaking today, the Italian had this to say :
“The book is closed. We have to wait one week for the end of the window, but the book is closed now. When I arrived in Chelsea we worked together and we took a decision together. We are not interested in players because we always thought we had a very good team.”
I would tend to agree with Ancelotti. Chelsea have a very good team and it would be a massive shock if they weren’t in the hunt for the title come the end of May. I must admit, before the season started, I really felt that Chelsea needed a new frontman, however the early season form of Didier Drogba has made me change my mind. What do you think? Are Chelsea ok as they are? Comments below please.
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Lescott affair leaves a nasty taste in the mouth
Few could blame David Moyes for dropping Joleon Lescott from last night’s 4-0 victory over Sigma Olomouc, with the England international’s mind obviously focused on a move to Eastlands rather that events on the pitch at Goodison Park. With the saga threatening to rumble on until the end of the transfer window, can anybody claim the moral high ground in the affair?
David Moyes has labelled Manchester City’s pursuit of Joleon Lescott as “disgusting”, claiming that Lescott “has had his head twisted”. Whilst Moyes displeasure at having the cornerstone of his defence lured away from him is understandable, it is difficult to see exactly what Mark Hughes has done wrong. He himself maintains he has gone through the correct channels.
Unfortunately for Moyes, once City’s first bid came in for Lescott, the player’s head had been turned. His submission of a verbal, and then written, transfer request served to highlight this. Whilst Moyes’ reluctance to accept this in a bid to keep Lescott at Everton is admirable, it is also highly unrealistic. In spite of Everton’s achievements last season, City have proved this summer that they have the financial clout to secure the signature of any player they want.
Moyes would probably be best served in accepting City’s bid and using the funds to strengthen his defence, and the rest of the squad, before the close of the transfer window. It’s difficult to argue with those who suggest that a fee in excess of £20 million is a lot of money for an accomplished, but not outstanding defender.
Regardless of the position between the two clubs, Lescott’s attitude has left a lot to be desired. Like any other player, he has the right to submit a transfer request, but whilst he is still employed by Everton he should be giving 100% to the cause. Anybody who watched his limp display against Arsenal last weekend will know that is not the case.
Claiming his ‘head is not in the right place’ is a feeble attempt to force through the move, and Moyes and Everton frankly deserve better. Moyes paid the not insignificant sum of £5 million in 2006 for a defender who was unproven in the Premier League. He has gone on to win seven England caps and has every chance of being on the plane to South Africa next summer. Lescott needs to repay this with commitment to the club whilst he is still there. Let us also not forget that he still getting £40,000 a week, for which Everton can rightly expect to have their employees head in the right place.
There are ten days left to go until the transfer window shuts and this deal is likely to be the focus for that period. How hard Moyes is prepared to dig his heels in remains unclear, but Manchester City are unfortunately a formidable force with which to pick a fight these days. On Sunday, Everton play a Burnley side invigorated by their mid-week victory over Manchester United. Whether Lescott has any part to play remains to be seen.
What do you think? Should Moyes stick to his guns or give in to Manchester City’s spending power? And what do you make of Lescott’s attitude? As ever, let us know your thoughts.
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
Are Tottenham over-priced at 4/1 to finish in the top 4?
No matter what way you look at it, Tottenham have been impressive so far this season. The 2-1 win against Liverpool, coupled with the emphatic 5-1 win away to Hull City last night, see’s them topping the Premier League table.
Some bookmakers have Harry Redknapp’s men priced at 4/1 to finish in the top 4 this season and in my view, that definitely represents value for money. I know some of you may think I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, however the fact they have already come through two tricky enough fixtures makes me think they could really challenge this season.
Spurs undoubtedly have one of the best, if no the best, strike forces in the Premier League and if Redknapp can keep Defoe, Keane, Crouch and Pavlyuchenko fit for the course of the season, I see now reason why they can’t finish in the top 4.
So what do you think? Can Spurs break into the top 4 this season? Comments below please.
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Now this would be a great signing for Liverpool
It was only a matter of time really before Real Madrid midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart was linked with a move to Liverpool.
It has been claimed today that Liverpool will make a £10 million bid for the Dutch international, who has himself admitted that a move to the Premier League would be of interest to him.
Van Der Vaart, 26, is desperate to leave the Bernabeu before the transfer window shuts on September 1st after falling down the pecking order at the Spanish giants. The arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema has seen several Real players looking for new clubs and Van Der Vaart is no different.
The former Ajax man has been linked with dozens of clubs in recent weeks including Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, however Rafael Benitez is now understood to be interested. As much as I would love to see Van Der Vaart move to Anfield, I find it hard to envisage. If Liverpool really wanted him, they would have demanded him as part of the Xabi Alonso deal.
I am a massive fan of Van Der Vaart’s and I personally feel that Liverpool would be far better off with him in their squad. For all the latest on this and much more, stay tuned to Football Corner over the coming weeks.
What do you think? Comments below please.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Three words to sum up Tottenham tonight
So, Tottenham are top of the league.
What a contrast to this time last year, eh?
A Jermain Defoe hat-trick helped Harry Redknapp’s men earn a 5-1 victory away to Hull City this evening. I am sure all you Spurs fans will be happy as larry, so while you are all in a good mood, Football Corner wants you to sum up Tottenham in just three words.
As always, make them funny.
My three words : Defoe Defoe Defoe.
Tell me your three words by leaving a comment below.
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