Russian giants Anzhi Makhachkala are willing to spend big to lure Younes Kaboul away from Tottenham, according to reports from The Metro.
The billionaire-backed Dagestan-based side are desperate to replace Christopher Samba, who signed for QPR last month, and have made the Frenchman as their number one target.
With the Russian transfer window not yet closed, Anzhi could make their move quickly in a bid to shore up their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Manager Guus Hiddink has reportedly contacted Spurs already, and is set to step up his pursuit.
Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas is believed to be willing to accept around £10m for the 27-year-old, with the re-emergence of Michael Dawson giving him a selection dilemma at centre-back.
Anzhi are said to be happy to meet this valuation, despite concerns over Kaboul’s proneness to injury.
The former Portsmouth man was one of Tottenham’s top performers last term under Harry Redknapp, helping the North Londoners clinch fourth spot.
But, knee surgery in August has restricted him to just one appearance this term.
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.
Anzhi have the financial muscle to offer Kaboul an attractive contract to swap White Hart Lane for the Russian top flight, and have used similar methods to sign Samuel Eto’o, Roberto Carlos and Lassana Diarra in the past.
Arsenal defender Johan Djourou is hoping a permanent deal with Hannover can be agreed at the end of his loan spell, according to ESPN.
The 26-year-old is enjoying playing regular first-team football after joining the Bundesliga side on loan in the January window and has no intention of returning to the Emirates Stadium.
However, any move will hinge on the two clubs agreeing a permanent deal with Arsenal reported to be asking for a fee in the region of £3million and, according to the press in Germany, that could stretch Hannover.
Djourou still has two years to run on his contract with the Gunners but is keeping his fingers crossed that a permanent move to Hannover can be hammered out.
“It would be fantastic if the clubs could agree on a deal,” Djourou told Neue Presse Hannover on Tuesday. “I have been granted the chance to play here and I am getting better and better and slowly finding my old form.”
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.
Frank Lampard scored twice to become Chelsea’s all-time record goalscorer as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa, with both teams having a man sent off.
Lampard’s late brace saw him surpass Bobby Tambling’s total of 202 and leave the Blues all but assured of Champions League football next season, while Villa’s fate remains undetermined at the bottom.
The home side had been in superb of late to pull away from the relegation zone and took a deserved lead in the 15th minute when Christian Benteke exchanged passes with Yacob Sylla and skipped past Gary Cahill before slotting the ball past Petr Cech at the near post.
It was the Belgian striker’s 23rd goal in all competitions but he was yellow carded by referee Lee Mason later in the half for a cynical elbow on Cesar Azpilcueta. Prior to that Chelsea went close to equalising with Demba Ba having his close range toe poke hacked off the line and Brad Guzan denying Juan Mata and Frank Lampard.
Then came the first red card of the afternoon as an already booked Ramires was sent for an early bath on the stroke of half time following a high challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor. And the same fate befell Benteke after the interval as he committed a similar offence on John Terry to earn his marching orders.
With the numerical disadvantage eradicated Chelsea took control and Lampard equalled Tambling’s record tally, picking up the ball from Eden Hazard on the edge of the area, shifted it onto his left and crashed an explosive strike past Guzan.
He then took the club scoring crown with a trademark mark goal. The 34-year-old started the move outside the box before timing his run to perfection to tap in Hazard’s low cross from two-yards out to set the Blues up for the Europa League final on Wednesday. Villa, meanwhile, must wait until their final day showdown with Wigan to confirm they’ll be a top-flight club next season.
Paul Lambert post-match…”We should have won the game. I thought we looked great and played good football, we had a good tempo. Some of the decisions today were bizarre. The referee missed the John Terry one, he’s taken down Yacouba Sylla. You’ve got to be big enough to make that decision.”
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.
Rafael Benitez post-match…”It [qualifying for the Champions League] was a great achievement. With a lot of games we have played, it was difficult but we did well. It was a dramatic game. The sending-off for us was a big problem. We had to change our game plan at 11 v 10. When Christian Benteke was sent off it made a difference.”
Man of the Match…Frank Lampard: How can Chelsea even contemplate letting the 34-year-old leave in the future? A vintage midfield display from Lampard bore two trademark goals to earn the Blues three points to become the clubs record goalscorer. All in a days work.
Flop of the Match…Christian Benteke: Made it 14 goals in 2013 with the opener to send Villa in at the break ahead but his red card in the second half was the turning point. Two thoughtless offences earned him an early bath and led to Villa’s collapse.
Ryan Bennet’s FA charge over comments made on Twitter will not see him axed for Norwich’s trip to Stoke as Michael Turner misses out.
Centre-half Turner has a groin injury, which has not only ruled him out of the game at the Britannia Stadium, but could see him miss the massive game against former boss Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa on Saturday week.
And, while boss Chris Hughton has brought Leon Barnett back from his loan spell with Championship title winners Cardiff City, it seems Bennett will keep the jersey in defence just days after being charged by the FA over a heated exchange with Arsenal fans on Twitter.
On whether the misconduct charge would affect his chances of playing, Hughton told the Eastern Daily Press: “It has no bearing at all.
“Ryan came in at a good time in the Reading game and perhaps that suited him. By that I mean if he had gone on later on it might have been more difficult to adjust to the game and the pace.
“He was able to get into the rhythm and I thought he was excellent.”
Hughton has no other new problems to contend with as Steven Whittaker is set to return from a slight knee problem which forced him to miss the Reading game last week. There is just a decision to make on whether fit-again goalkeeper John Ruddy would be back in the senior squad.
A win against the Potters should make Norwich safe from relegation and Hughton feels Saturday’s opponents are an example to follow.
He added: “If we as a club are in a position where Stoke have been for the last few years we would be delighted. The job Tony Pulis has done there has been tremendous.
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.
“What you definitely want is that type of stability, to become a mainstay in the division. It’s always very difficult to become a top 10 team with the finances Premier League teams have but to have that stability is what we all want.”
Arsenal have been boosted in their pursuit of a move for Gonzalo Higuain, according to the Metro.
The Premier League side were set to fight Juventus for the Argentine’s signature, as the forward looks to leave Real Madrid this summer.
But Juventus look set to now turn their attention to Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez, after Serie A rivals AC Milan ruled out a move for the fellow Argentine. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said that Tevez would not be moving to the San Siro:
“Tevez is not a transfer target for us. Before we will try to bring in new players, we will have to sell some of our own players first,” Galliani told reporters.
“It’s not a financial problem, but has to do with the amount of attackers we already have. At the moment, we already have seven players for just three positions.”
“Our big transfer coup came in January when we signed Mario Balotelli from City. We will see if anything else happens”
With Juve now turning their attention to Tevez, Arsenal can run unopposed in their pursuit of Higuain, who scored 16 league goals for Los Blancos last season.
The deal is set to cost Arsenal £22million, as Wenger starts to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.
Should Juventus pull out of the Higuain chase? Will the Argentine do well at Arsenal?
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.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is hopeful he can persuade Luis Suarez to stay at Anfield for at least one more season, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Speaking ahead of his sold out testimonial at Anfield this Saturday, Gerrard has said he believes the Uruguayan owes the club at least another season after they have stood by him following various controversial incidents over the past two years.
“I’d say to Luis: ‘Give it one more year, see if we can achieve that’,’’ Liverpool’s captain said.
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed in his autobiography that he made moves for both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard when he was Manchester United manager, writes the Express.
It is well known that Gerrard came close to moving to Chelsea in 2004, but Ferguson writes in his book, My Autobiography, that he made an approach for the current England captain too, as Liverpool looked likely to accept a £20million bid.
“We made a show for him (Gerrard) in the transfer market, as did Chelsea, because the vibe was that he wanted to move from Anfield,” Ferguson wrote.
This, however, appears somewhat of a contrast to the former manager’s claims in the same book that Gerrard is not a “top, top player”.
Also, Fergie says that former Liverpool and current Chelsea striker Fernando Torres was on his radar long before the Spaniard decided to make the switch from Atletico Madrid to Anfield.
“We watched him (Torres) many times and tried to sign him when he was 16,” he added.
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.
El nino, however, went on to a successful spell with Liverpool before he joined Chelsea in 2011.
Those days of uncertainty on the fitness front are well and truly behind him. So too are the forgettable but not exactly terrible performances. It’s a shame that it’s happening now, at 33, but Tomas Rosicky finally has a clearly-defined role to play at Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger’s assessment that Rosicky is a “marvellous” player and that he intended to keep the Czech midfielder beyond this summer looks to be another small mountain conquered for Arsenal this season. From the outside, it may seem throwaway. How much more can a Premier League title challenger extract from a midfielder whose prime sources of interest came from the MLS?
There have been a host of players at the club who have greatly improved this season, but to say Rosicky is one of them isn’t quite accurate. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder put in a number of impressive performances last season, even when Arsenal were at an all-time low at the midway point, going out of both domestic cup competitions to lower league opposition. Against Bradford in the League Cup, it was evident how much Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere appreciated Rosicky slotting into the midfield alongside them.
Rosicky is a leader, despite not being particularly vocal. He leads with his performances, as he did against Tottenham in the FA Cup third round. That wasn’t a one-off from the midfielder. In a season where the fight is on for a place in Arsenal’s starting XI, Rosicky has a part to play, like a lieutenant to Wenger, whose trust and faith has proven to be paramount.
And that’s another change we’ve seen in the Arsenal manager of late. In the past, Rosicky would have been discarded. In fact, at 33 he would have long been out the door of the Emirates. Now, there’s value that remains; importance both on and off the pitch. He’s a much-needed veteran who can come into the team and very much look like he belongs among Arsenal’s vibrant, young core. There’s no compromise in ability, effectiveness and most importantly passion when Rosicky takes up a place in the team.
There’s no longer neglect for the experienced heads in the team. Further positive news is that Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna will have their deals extended in the coming weeks. With Project Youth, for what is was, going out the window, there is a renewed and much-needed willingness from the manager to invest in those who are at the other end of their careers.
It’s a help to the younger players. As much as Mesut Ozil lifted the club as a whole when he arrived last summer, the retaining of popular figures like Rosicky offers players like Jack Wilshere, Serge Gnabry and Kieran Gibbs natural leadership, players to lean on and learn from. It’s not just Wenger who plays a role in their development. It would be hard to miss the quiet words the older figures in the team have with the younger players either pre-game or during. In the past, those youngsters would have felt isolated on the pitch without a strong veteran presence.
With only one goal and one assist this season, Rosicky’s days of high productivity look to be over. Across the continent, however, players in or around Rosicky’s age are far from overlooked. Xabi Alonso, 32, Xavi, 33, and Andrea Pirlo, 34, spring to mind. Francesco Totti had a fantastic start to the season. The Roma captain is 37. While Manchester United have continued to see wonderful performances from 40-year-old Ryan Giggs, even in the Champions League.
But Arsenal are not looking to Rosicky for goals. The squad needs depth to handle the pressures of multiple competitions throughout the season. The Czech midfielder is unlikely to play back-to-back games, but there’s no doubt that when he does appear he brings continuity and a level of class that has far from waned.
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.
After so many problems in the past with injury, Rosicky is proving to be an influential figure in this title charge. More than anything, he’s earned his place in this team and a discussion about a prolonged stay at the Emirates.
As Champions League ties go, you won’t get many as controversial as Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Emirates this evening.
From start to finish the game wasn’t far from a controversial moment, particularly in the first half where we saw two missed penalties and a red card for Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny.
The red card was the big game changer, with the Gunners having to play over 50 minutes with just 10 men, but many thought Arjen Robben dived in the challenge that lead to the Polish stoppers dismisal.
So here’s the five big controversial moments from tonight’s Champions League action from North London…
1. Mesut Ozil’s poorly taken penalty means Arsenal blow a big chance to take the lead. But why was he the one taking it?
Post by FootballFanCast.com.
2. Arjen Robben earns Bayern Munich a penalty but is accused of diving by Arsene Wenger…
Post by FootballFanCast.com.
3. The penalty decision also saw Wojciech Sczcesny see red, which all but ended Arsenal’s hopes of victory…
4. Arjen Robben got caught up in a spitting row after a droplet falls on to the injured Bacary Sagna, although it was more than likely sweat…
Post by FootballFanCast.com.
5. Arsenal fans will feel the biggest controversy of the night was Wenger’s decision not to take off Mesut Ozil during the game, with the German having a shocker from start to finish…
Yesterday evening witnessed a tacit changing of the guard at Old Trafford.
While Nemanja Vidic made his final home appearance in a Manchester United jersey ahead of his summer move to Inter Milan, interim boss Ryan Giggs issued youngsters James Wilson and Tom Lawrence their first outings at senior level for the Carrington club, with 21 year-old Michael Keane also awarded a spot the bench.
The theme of new and old – further amplifiedby the player/manager’s twenty-minute cameo stint from the bench – was no coincidence. Following the tradition of Sir Alex Ferguson, Giggs addressed the Carrington crowd following the 3-1 victory over Hull City, declaring; “You’ve seen a little glimpse of the future, and this is what this club’s about. We never stand still, we always give youth a chance, and we try and play attractive football.”
18 year-old James Wilson immediately repaid his manager’s faith by netting a brace against the Tigers, producing a particularly impressive finish for his first strike, and although it was a less eye-catching debut for U21 squad team-mate Tom Lawrence, the 19-year-old was industrious and inventive on the left hand side.
So, following their role in last night’s convincing victory over Hull, should we be getting exciting about United’s latest crop of youngsters, dubbed the class of ’14?
Of course, that unofficial moniker alludes to United’s famous, documentary-releasing class of ’92 – the youngsters, including Giggs, David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, that Sir Alex Ferguson begun to forge his team around in 1995 and soon went on to take English football by storm, with their finest moment being the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 1999.
An overwhelming reputation to live up to, but that’s the level of expectation United’s newest batch of hot prospects will have to deal with if they’re to make successes of themselves at Old Trafford.
Others have tried and failed, and for the six talented hot shots that transformed Premier League football back in the late 1990s, Manchester United’s record of producing youth players since hasn’t been quite so impressive.
The likes of Paul McShane, Corry Evans, Craig Cathcart, Federico Macheda, Oliver Norwood, Ryan Shawcross, John Spector and Kieran Richardson are just a few examples of hotly-tipped future stars ho failed to make the grade at Old Trafford, whilst Paul Pogba, Giuseppe Rossi and Gerard Pique felt the need to move elsewhere to kick-start their senior careers. Likewise, Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley may have become useful squad players for the Red Devils, but none have quite lived up to the quality of their predecessors.
But there is a feeling around Carrington that the class of ’14 may be more fortuitous. Academy graduate Adnan Januzaj has already proved in his first Premier League season that he’s one to watch for the future. His performances have been sporadic, with none quite matching the brace on his full debut against Sunderland back in October, but the 19 year-old’s confidence, swagger and quality on the ball suggests David Moyes’ decision to tie him down to a long-term contract in January – £5million signing-on fee included – was a smart move and an astute investment. He’s already played his way into Belgium’s World Cup squad.
Likewise, although James Wilson may not be a household name, his reputation as a talented youngster has been bubbling under the surface of English football for some time. A then 15 year-old netted a brace on his U18s Red Devils debut and also featured prematurely for England Schoolboys. He’s claimed seven goals in nine U21 Premier League outings this season (in all competitions he’s recorded 15 in 20) – a strike-rate only bettered by Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Norwich’s Josh Murphy and Sunderland’s Mikael Mandron.
Similarly, Tom Lawrence is held in particularly high regard at Old Trafford. He came off for Ryan Giggs after 70 minutes yesterday afternoon, symbolic of how the 40 year-old sees much of himself in the young, direct and daring Welsh winger.
There are other United youngsters worth a noteworthy mention too – last night’s unused substitute, Michael Keane, for example, has enjoyed impressive loan spells in the Championship with Leicester City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers. Ewood boss Gary Bower wants to secure the 21 year-old centre-back’s services for next season, but with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both set for summer departures, many have alleged that Keane could find himself involved in first team affairs at Old Trafford instead.
Likewise, 21 year-old attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard has claimed three goals and three assists in 15 Championship outings on loan at Brighton this season whilst 20 year-old forward Nick Powell – a Crewe import who has already scored his first Premier League goal for United – has been in decent form for Wigan, finding the net twelve times in 42 appearances across all competitions, including a goal against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League. And amid all this talk of talented United youngsters, let’s not forget already-anointed England international Wilfried Zaha.
The coming U21 Premier League final between Manchester United and Chelsea will be a big test for Lawrence and Wilson, but doing the business at youth level or in the lower tiers of English football is no guarantee they can repeat the feat at Old Trafford.
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.
Yet incoming United gaffer Louis van Gaal could prove to be the vital factor in the Class of ’14’s development. When managers are charged with the task of winning silverware, the production of young talent is often overlooked. But what makes the Netherlands boss such a unique manager is that many of his title-winning sides have been centred around youth. The Ajax squad which won every trophy possible under his leadership, most notably the Champions League in 1995, had a squad age of just 23.
Similarly, the 62 year-old brought Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos through to the first team at Bayern Munich. Both have since become key players for the Bavarians and the German national team, boasting 91 caps, six Bundesliga titles and two Champions League titles between them. Van Gaal also handed Andres Iniesta his full senior debut at Barcelona – we all know how well that’s worked out.
There’s obvious potential there in the class of ’14 and van Gaal is an ideal candidate to help them realise it. But eventually it will all depend on how far their talent and attitude can take them.
One thing is for sure however, as Ryan Giggs stated last night with his eyes beginning to water; “We always give youth a chance.” Eric Djemba-Djemba can certainly vouch for that.