Aston Villa's caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald has played down talk of England winger Ashley Young being set to leave Villa Park to join Tottenham Hotspur.
The 25-year-old has been linked with interest from Spurs for some time, but MacDonald is hopeful that nothing will come of this link.
He said after the 1-0 win at home to Everton:"We've not had any contact from Tottenham for Ashley Young, nothing at all. We've not had any bid from them at all.
"Clubs are going to be coming in for some of our top players because one or two of them have been tremendous.
"They have shown some great form at the start of this season. I would like to think the club wouldn't sell them, but who knows. If it was down to me, I wouldn't sell them.
"I think if the club says it is a sell to buy club, we have to develop those younger players quicker and better.
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"But we also need to keep the club progressing to keep all your senior players keen and interested in trying to win things.
"We want to still be forcing ourselves into Europe, having good cup runs, because that is the nature of football."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas has admitted that he ideally would like to sign two new players in the January transfer window.
The Blues have made it publicly known that they are eager to recruit a central defender, with an offer for Bolton’s Gary Cahill accepted and negotiations with the England international ongoing.
Despite this, the Portuguese coach has indicated that a second new face at Stamford Bridge would also be welcome.
“Apart from the central defender we might get one more player in, but we’re not sure yet,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s always difficult (in January). First of all, the top talent is normally cup-tied in the Champions League, or in the different domestic competitions.
“It’s difficult for the selling club to make players available. So it’s normal to struggle in the transfer market.
“Normally it’s a market where you overpay a lot and that’s not what we want to do now. I think that’s why we’ve set out not to do a lot in the transfer window,” he stated.
Porto attacker Hulk and Juventus winger Milos Krasic are two players that Chelsea have been linked with, whilst The Daily Mail have reported that The Blues have bid £8 million for Genk starlet Kevin de Bruyne.
Meanwhile, injured midfielder Michael Essien played 75 minutes for Chelsea reserves, as he looks to get back to full fitness.
The Ghana international has well-documented knee problems, and has been on the sidelines since July, but featured in The Blues’ 3-2 defeat against West Brom’s second team.
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Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admits his team will have to be better to beat Manchester United after their 1-0 win against Wigan on Saturday.A goal from Florent Malouda handed the Blues victory, but it was clear many of the players had one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford, which Chelsea will enter trailing 1-0 after a first-leg loss at Stamford Bridge.
“It?s positive to win because it was not easy to prepare this game between the quarter-finals,” Ancelotti said.
“The first half was not good; the second half was better. In the end we won – it was not a good performance, but it was not easy.”
“We have to play better at Old Trafford but this is normal. To win there we have to play at 100 percent.”
January signing Fernando Torres came off the bench against Wigan and three times went close to opening his account for his new club, but the striker was denied by poor finishing and some excellent saves from goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.
“Every one of us wanted him to score today and he was really unlucky sometimes and other times the keeper made a great save,” Ancelotti said.
“But we have to continue to have confidence in him. He moved well because he created several chances for himself; maybe he will score the most important goals of our season.”
“We have a strong squad, all the games we played against them (Manchester United) were in balance. And when we needed to win there (Old Trafford) last year we did.”
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, believes his side – which are a point adrift at the bottom of the English Premier League – did not deserve to lose at Stamford Bridge, and has predicted they will respond well from the setback.
“Nobody expected Wigan to get a positive result but I?m very proud of our display,” Martinez said.
“We were brave, we kept the ball well. We frustrated them for long spells and defended very well.”
Martinez was furious at Malouda’s winner, claiming his goalkeeper was fouled as he attempted to collect a Didier Drogba corner in the 67th minute.
“Because of that it was a huge feeling of frustration when the way they scored,” Martinez said.
“The keeper was clearly impeded by Torres, it?s as clear as day his elbow was in his face.”
“I?m a huge fan of Howard Webb and I?m extremely disappointed he couldn?t give us that call because it was the call of the game.”
“Sometimes when you are at the bottom of the league those decisions don?t go your way.”
“But we will have eight games left and I am 100 percent sure if we play that way we?ll have enough points to stay in the Premier League.”
“I only wish there were 30 games left because this team is starting to click and if there was longer left in the season I could see us finishing in the top 10.”
“I think I would like to go to Barcelona. If they want me or not is another thing. It’s what I want and what I would like.”- Cesc Fabregas, May 5 2010.
The summer’s longest transfer saga was finally resolved on Friday when Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas committed his future to Arsenal. But when Fabregas revealed his intentions to return to his boyhood club Barcelona last May he must have been quietly confident in the Spanish side’s ability to complete a transfer which both sides have been willing to happen since the start of the summer. The club’s new president Sandro Rosell has been heavily criticised for not doing enough to make the deal happen and Fabregas finally ran out of patience with Barcelona’s botched attempt to capture his signature.
In July the Catalan club lodged a £30m opening offer for the midfield maestro. This was rejected outright by the Gunners, who hit back angrily, insisting the club had no intention of discussing the potential sale of their captain and most valuable asset anytime in the near future. With Barcelona failing to make a substantial offer, and Arsenal fighting bullishly to hold onto their star man, direct dialogue between the two clubs stopped, leaving the 23-year-old in limbo.
Despite failing to increase their offer, Barcelona have spent the summer attempting to unsettle the player with a breathtaking degree of arrogance. The majority of the Barcelona squad shared their views on the transfer, lining up one after the other, presumptuously claiming it’s only a matter of time before Fabregas was back in a Barcelona shirt. Midfielder Xavi, Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol have all spoken candidly about Fabregas’ desire to return ‘home’ and his frustration at not being allowed to move clubs. For all Barcelona’s criticism of Arsenal’s handling of the transfer, it is the Catalans who failed to up their bid for the player. It was up to Barcelona to make an offer worth listening to; Arsenal didn’t want to sell and were not exactly going to start chasing the Spanish champions to make a deal happen.
How badly did Barca want to land prodigal son Fabregas anyway? More so than 2009 summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic whom they shelled out an astonishing €46m for plus Alexander Hleb on loan and Samuel Eto’o, who had just finished the season on 36 goals in 52 games. Or enough to make Arsenal’s No.4 the second most expensive player in the club’s history in front of striker David Villa whom they signed for £33m earlier in the summer? Obviously not. When the Spanish side target a player they usually do not take ‘no’ for an answer, yet they were rather timid in the wake of Arsenal’s determination to hang on to the player. The Gunners know that Fabregas will demand an exit sometime over the next two seasons, but they were intelligent enough in their negotiations to ensure Barcelona would have to break the bank in order to land their number one target. Barcelona were also wary of paying over the odds for a player who they claim was poached from them by Arsenal, after the Gunners exploited a loop hole in Spanish contractual law to sign him at 16.
Ultimately Barcelona may not have had the finances in place to increase their offer and meet Arsenal’s valuation. The club’s audit last month revealed they are over £369m in debt. The club recorded a loss of £60m last season and even had to take out a loan to pay their player’s wages in June. A £30m deal for Fabregas would have made him the tenth most expensive player of all time, just a million less than Manchester United splashed out on Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov in 2008 and £2.5m short of the price Manchester City valued Brazilian Robinho at the same year. On paper Fabregas’ suitability to Barcelona in terms of age, quality and commitment to the club would suggest he is worth considerably more than the two players mentioned above and nearer, or above, the £40m mark would more accurately reflect his true value in today’s market. With Portuguese attacker Cristiano Ronaldo valued at an inflated £80m last summer, Arsenal knew they could deploy similar tactics used by Manchester United to delay any potential transfer. Fabregas is an Arsenal player, something which Barcelona forgot at times during the whole sorry affair. Arsenal should be commended for how they dealt with the La Liga champions underhand tactics and most importantly managing to hold onto Fabregas.
With Barcelona’s failure to complete the protracted transfer, Fabregas now finds himself at The Emirates for another season. By revealing his desire to leave, the Spaniard put all his eggs into one basket, a risky strategy in what was always going to be a difficult transfer to conclude. If it was always his dream to return to Spain then why in 2006 did he sign an EIGHT year contract committing his long-term future to the club? Fabregas no doubt signed on the dotted line because the contract included huge bonuses, a massive signing-on fee and a regular increase in wages. The club have invested heavily in Fabregas’ career and deserve more loyalty from their captain. They cannot be expected to roll over and let Barcelona come and take their best player for an unacceptable fee. Barcelona refused to pay a premium rate for one of the hottest talents in the game, forcing Fabregas to come out and end the circus by finally committing his future to the club.
Like this blog? Read more articles from this author below-
Future remains bright at Arsenal
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West Brom will be hoping to solidify their mid-table position going into the festive period with a win over rock bottom Wigan at The Hawthorns.
Albion’s recent form has seen them slide towards the relegation zone although their point away at QPR gave themselves a five-point buffer ahead of their Christmas fixtures. Roy Hodgson’s side have been unable to replicate their form from last season that saw them finish just outside the top half in an impressive first season back in the Premier League. Their home form has been the biggest negative of their campaign thus far with the Hawthorns faithful seeing their players conjure up just two victories on home soil. Scoring goals on their own patch has also been a problem with just six hitting the net with that contributing to the four defeats suffered at home. The Baggies festive schedule isn’t the most demanding with games against Blackburn and Everton providing opportunities to take maximum points and move further up the table ahead of the New Year. Hodgson needs to get his side scoring more regularly though with Shane Long the only consistent goal scorer in the team. Peter Odemwingie’s goals have dried up whilst Chris Brunt and James Morison aren’t scoring enough from midfield. They’ll see a huge chance to rectify that against lowly Wigan on Saturday.
The Latics were thumped at the DW Stadium last week by Arsenal sending them hurtling back to the foot of the table. Roberto Martinez thought his side had turned a corner following their late win against Sunderland the previous Saturday but fell back into a familiar cycle against the Gunners. The ease in which they let the North London side cut them apart was painful to watch and Martinez will be expecting his defence to tighten up when they make the trip to the Midlands to face the Baggies. Scoring goals away from home has been a major problem with Wigan hitting the net only four times in seven games away from the DW. Despite possessing players like Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega, Franco Di Santo and Jordi Gomez in attack they continue to struggle in front of goal. The Latics know they need to start picking up points on the road during Christmas if they are to build some confidence and drag themselves off the bottom of the table.
West Brom – 14th
Last Five: Drew 1-1 v QPR (A), Lost 3-1 v Tottenham (H), Won 2-0 v Bolton (H), Lost 3-0 v Arsenal (A), Lost 2-0 v Liverpool (H)
Potential Starting X11: 1. B. Foster 12. S. Reid 3. J. Olsson 33. P. Scharner 20. N. Shorey 14. J. Thomas 21. Y. Mulumbu 7. J. Morrison 11. C. Brunt[C] 14. P. Odemwingie 9. S. Long*
Injury News: Zoltan Gera is the only player in the Hawthorns treatment room with the Hungarian playmaker out for the season.
Key Player: Shane Long
Once again Long repaid a large chunk of his £7.5 million price tag by popping up to rescue a vital point in the 1-1 draw with QPR last week. The Republic of Ireland striker has taken over the scoring mantle from Odemwingie with aplomb and gives the Baggies an extra touch of pace and purpose up front. His intelligent use of the last man to spin away and chase through balls has given the midfield something to hit over the top and his intelligent movement will surely unsettle a fragile Wigan back four on Saturday.
Match Fact: West Brom have won four of the seven meetings between the two sides at the Hawthorns losing just once against Wigan in the Premier League
Wigan – 20th
Last Five: Lost 4-0 v Arsenal, Won 2-1 v Sunderland (A), Drew 3-3 v Blackburn (H), Lost 3-1 v Wolves (A), Lost 2-0 v Fulham (H)
Potential Starting X11: 26. A. Al Habsi 23. R. Stam 4. G. Caldwell [C] 17. E. Boyce 3. M. Figueroa 8. B. Watson 21. M. Diame 4. J. McCarthy 16. J. McArthur* 11.V. Moses 18. C. Sammon
Injury News: Martinez has no fresh concerns going into the West Brom game with Chris Kirkland the only player currently out injured.
Key Player: James McArthur
Since coming back into the side McArthur has displayed just how pivotal he is to the way Wigan operate. His ability on the ball, driving runs and wide range of passing give the Latic’s some creativity in midfield. His hard work off the ball is also vital with his tracking back to aid the defence in regaining possession exhibiting that he is willing to dig in and do the work others would normally shy away from. That sort of determination will be key against West Brom on Saturday as Martinez’s side look to haul themselves away from trouble.
Match Fact: Wigan have won just once at the Hawthorns in seven Premier League visits with that victory coming in their debut season back in 2005/06
Last Time at The Hawthorns
Premier League 1 February 2011
West Brom 2-2 Wigan
Odemwingie (5) Fortune (79)
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N’Zogbia (20) Watson (43)
Attendance: 25,385
Referee: Phil Dowd
PREDICTION
West Brom have stopped and started this season but will be buoyed following their 1-1 draw with QPR last week. They know a win will lift them further away from danger and come up against a Wigan side who are rock bottom once again. The Latics were brought back down to earth following their win at Sunderland with Arsenal thumping four past them at the DW. Winning at the Hawthorns will be another tough test as they start a hectic festive campaign.
Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to a last gasp winner by Dimitar Berbatov. Fergie’s men find themselves 5pts clear with eight games to go and a record 19th title is simply in their hands, although Arsene Wenger firmly believes that Arsenal will pip them to the finishing line and believes that yesterday’s comeback has given the players the confidence that they need to succeed.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes Capello handing the England captaincy to John Terry; Henry set to unveil his Liverpool plans, while Redknapp insists he can bring the title to Spurs in the coming years.
*
Capello hands captaincy back to Terry – Guardian
Capello – Wilshere has arrived – Sky Sports
Ferdinand ‘appalled’ by Capello’s behaviour – Daily Telegraph
Houllier remains defiant in face of fans’ hostility – Mirror
City to entice Mourinho with £10m-a-year deal, but Jose wants dream job at United – Daily Mail
Liverpool signings will get wide berth in summer – Mirror
Henry back to watch Liverpool and unveil his Anfield plan – Daily Mail
Redknapp insists he can bring the title to Spurs – Mirror
United looking at Costa – Daily Telegraph
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We don’t want revenge, says Ancelotti – Guardian
City’s Mancini fears Balotelli will be the ruin of him – Mirror
Spurs and Argentinean legend Ossie Ardiles has spoke of his confidence about Tottenham’s chances in this forthcoming season.
“I think that we are going to do very well, and I’m very confident. Harry is confident. We are in Europe for the first time in a long time, and it’s going to be a very good season I would say.”
Embellishing on his views with regards to the club’s chances in the Champions League Ardiles said:
“I think we can go a long, long way. You have to be very positive all the time, and obviously we have to win the first two games now against the Young Boys of Switzerland and after that we take it from there. You never know to be perfectly honest. The Champions League has a lot of incredibly good teams, and it’s a hard competition to be playing in. I hope we go on as long as possible.”
Whilst positive about the team’s prospects, Ardiles did state he would like to see some transfer activity before the window closes:
“I think Harry is looking and looking and looking. Right now it is not very easy to buy a player unless you spend money like Manchester City. Harry is trying and I believe he is looking for someone who can improve the team as whoever is coming has to be better than what we have already got. It has to be someone very, very good.”
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Ardiles was speaking about Tottenham during an interview about Sporting Memorabilia and his links with London-based Sporting Memorabilia Company SJ Dent & Co. Whilst Ardiles treasures his World Cup medal as his most prized piece of memorabilia, he stated he would love to own something from “someone he admired very much in sport – Muhammad Ali”.
To view SJ Dent & Co’s online collection of memorabilia visit their website www.sjdent.co.uk. You can also receive a 5% discount on any purchase by entering the code ‘Promo1’.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Amauri has confirmed that he is leaving Juventus in January and that a club has already agreed to take on the Italian international on a permanent deal according to talkSPORT.
Fulham have also shown an interest in the tall striker; who had his number 11 squad number taken away from him in the summer and will confirm his destination in the next few days.
The agent of the former Palermo and Parma forward has refused to rule out that his player could be heading to the Premier League and a deal is nearly complete.
The Brazil-born striker has played for ten clubs in 11 years and has a reputation of being unsettled easily, but his goal scoring record in impressive and his style of play and size could suit the Premier League.
The 31-year-old’s agent Ernesto Bronzetti told Sky Italia: “We have found another team to take the player in January.
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“There is no deal confirmed but we hope that in the next few days we can speak more clearly. Juventus have no problems with him leaving it is just a matter of how much money. I can not give names and prefer not to say whether it is an English club. All will be revealed in time.”
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Sao Paolo starlet Lucas Piazon but will have to wait nine months to welcome him to Stamford Bridge.Piazon, 17, cannot complete his transfer to the English Premier League until his 18th birthday, but Chelsea are confident the attacking midfielder will sign a long-term deal once he arrives in January.
“The player has signed a pre-contract agreement and is expected to join us in January 2012 on a long-term deal,” a statement said on Chelsea’s website.
Piazon has yet to play for Sao Paolo but has been in terrific form at the South American Under-17 Championships with Brazil’s youth team.
He first came to attention at the Under-15 Championships in 2009, where he finished on top of the goal-scorers’ table with 10 strikes for Brazil.
Reports suggest Chelsea have paid a fee of up to 10 million pounds to secure highly rated youth, who was believed to have attracted interest from Serie A club Juventus, among others.
Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is finally free from the injury problems which wrecked his first season at Anfield, according to the club's new medical chief.
Head of sports medicine and sports science, Peter Brukner, believes the Italy international is free from the ankle injury which kept him sidelined for most of the past 12 months.
Aquilani started just nine Premier League games for the Reds after arriving from AS Roma in a £20million transfer carrying an ankle problem.
The 26-year-old made his league debut in November but struggled to make an impact as a direct replacement for former fans' favourite Xabi Alonso, who left to join Real Madrid.
"Alberto's ankle, which was a problem last year, is now 100 per cent healed," Brukner told the club's official website.
"He has been training and has looked very sharp.
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"He'll have to keep working on his injury prevention programme and if he does, I'm sure the supporters will see the best of him because last season was very frustrating for him injury-wise."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email