West Ham striker Ricardo Vaz Te could be ready to leave Upton Park following a dispute over wage demands, according to Mirror Football.
The Portuguese striker enjoyed a fantastic vein of form in East London since joining fromBarnsleyin January, scoring 12 goals – including a crucial one at Wembley to ensure promotion to the Premier League for The Hammers.
However, Vaz Te has since met with boss Sam Allardyce and is unhappy with his terms, as others in the squad find themselves earning considerably more than the 25 year old.
Having been likened in temperament to Cristiano Ronaldo, Vaz Te is also said to be unhappy with the ambition Allardyce’s side have shown in the transfer market so far this summer, and is eager for a top ten finish in the top flight next season.
Despite his prolific form in the Championship last season, the 25 year old former Bolton man managed just 3 goals in 58 Premier League games for the Trotters, leaving West Ham reluctant to boost him up the wage bill.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester United’s apparent lengthy pursuit of Wesley Sneijder has yet again taken another turn with Inter once more making it clear that there are no negotiations going on between them, and the Manchester club for their star midfielder.
‘I’ve said it and I’ll repeat it, this is only spoken of in the newspapers and we’re not talking about it. He’s an integral part of our team and there are no negotiations.’ Inter director Ernesto Paolillo stated.
Inferring to an earlier statement the Nerazzurri official had given last week, he continued: ‘If we were to get an irrefutable offer? I have also repeated this many times…if we were to receive – and this applies to Sneijder and any other player – an absolutely irrefutable offer, only in that moment would we think about it. But, I repeat, there are no negotiations.’
Sneijder, the Dutch attacking midfielder, has been heavily linked with the Premiership giants in the British press since last summer’s World Cup in South Africa.
Across town, Manchester City have now become alerted to Inter’s Samuel Eto’o’s latest bust-up at the club. City were thought to be interested in making a swap deal for the Cameroon man, in exchange for Carlos Tevez. But with Inter’s previous insistence that their star striker was not for sale, Maicon was brought up as an option instead.
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.
However City see Eto’o’s value closer to that of Tevez for any muted swap, and a deal could now be back on the cards according to The Daily Mail and Mirror, with Eto’o falling out with new Inter manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Blackpool captain Charlie Adam insists the constant transfer speculation surrounding him is not affecting his game.The 25-year-old has been linked with a move away from Bloomfield Road during the transfer window, with Aston Villa said to have had a bid of 3.5 million pounds rejected.
Several other clubs are also said to be interested, but manager Ian Holloway has made it clear Adam will only be leaving Blackpool if the club receives a big-money offer for the Scotland midfielder.
Adam said he was just doing his best to avoid all the rumours and was focused on getting the job done for Blackpool.
“It really isn’t difficult to ignore all the talk,” Adam told the Blackpool Gazette.
“I am a footballer and I want to keep playing well, and hopefully I can play for many years.”
“There is going to be speculation about lads at Blackpool because the players are playing well. You can’t stop speculation, so you just get on with it.”
“Everybody has something to say about football, everybody has an opinion. Some people like it, some people don’t. You get on with it.”
However, Adam, who has made 17 appearances for Blackpool this season, admitted the lure of playing for one the biggest clubs in the Premier League was strong.
“The bottom line is that everybody knows I want to play at the highest level. I want to play at the top of the tree, as they say,” Adam said.
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.
“This has been a fantastic part of my life coming to Blackpool, and it has been fantastic being part of this club and working with this manager.”
“At the end of the day everybody has ambition and I want to play at the highest level I can. Hopefully one day it will happen.”
When England step out in Kiev on Sunday night to face Italy, they carry with them a history between the two nations of fleeting yet intensely impassioned encounters upon their shoulders. Having met only six times in major international tournaments or qualifiers, the battle is one which has not had the breathing space to develop as vehemently as , say, meetings with Germany; yet they are clashes which hold weighty relevance in the narratives of the English national team.
It was not until 1976 that the paths of the two nations would cross competitively, yet there were significant friendly meetings previously. 1934’s ‘Battle of Highbury’ saw England take a 3-0 lead before being pegged back to 3-2, yet most widely reported were numerous skirmishes on behalf of the Italians seeking retribution for perceived English foul play. Four England players suffered notable injuries in the first-half alone. Only the second meeting between England and Italy would set the tone for a series of stilted, combative matches to follow throughout the 20th Century.
In the first of the competitive meetings honours were uniformly even, as the 1978 World Cup Qualifiers saw a 2-0 victory for the home side on both occasions. England were, however, denied a place in Argentina after a mediocre qualifying campaign despite the victory against Italy at Wembley in the final match. Needing to win by six, England failed to wrestle back the necessary goal difference as the Italians scarcely scraped their way through to the finals.
England were given the opportunity to assail their failings just two years later in Turin as the 1980 European Championships drew Ron Greenwood’s side against the hosts. A partisan home support proved too much for England as Marco Tardelli tapped home from close range just twelve minutes before the end to give Italy victory. Intriguingly, however, the hosts would not progress from the group stage as the 8-team format saw Belgium into the final on goals scored, only to perish against winners West Germany.
The footballing relationship between England and Italy took on a sinister and ominous flavour as the 20th Century drew to a close, with the Heysel disaster of 1985 ripping open an uncomfortable abrasion amongst supporters, players and national associations. No longer were hostilities confined to devious challenges and underhand tactics: divisions between the two nations now cut far deeper into wider society, a cultural disunion adding a further stain to a national game already critically blighted in England. With the Hillsborough disaster to follow in 1989, England travelled to Italy for the 1990 World Cup in search of redemption, bringing with them a wounded national pride in need of vital healing.
England’s travails in Italy proved something of turning point for English football. Though still tainted by hooliganism at the tournament, those watching at home had their zest for football renewed by the on-field heroics of the England squad, missing out on the final by the breadth of a crossbar. Interest renewed, English football became credible once again. It was the primary beginnings of the English renaissance. The Premier League and Euro 96 subsequently followed and set in motion the development of the self-titled ‘Best League in the World’. Arguably, however, English football’s emergence as the dominant domestic league in Europe was initiated that summer in Italy. England were once again defeated by the hosts in the Third-Place Play-Off, this time 2-1, but that mattered little to a country who welcomed their boys home as redeemers of national pride.
Seven years later it would prove a similar story as England toiled, laboured and grafted their way to a memorable outcome on Italian soil, this time in Rome. Having plundered to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley earlier in the France ’98 qualifying campaign courtesy of Gianfranco Zola, Glen Hoddle’s charges went into the final game needing only a draw to secure automatic qualification.
The game was characterised by the sight of a bloodied and battered Paul Ince scampering around a vivacious Stadio Olimpico with his head in a bandage after a clash with Italy’s Albertini. It typified the defiant and insolent nature of England’s game that night. Disciplined and organised, England repelled a talented Italian attack for 90 minutes, though were not devoid of startling scares. England’s confidence grew as Italy became further frustrated and Ian Wright struck the post from a narrow angle in the dying seconds, only for Christian Vieri to glance a header alarmingly close some thirty seconds later.
England were to hold on, however, replicating the valiant battling qualities which conquered the Italians at Highbury some sixty-four years previous. That night in Rome perhaps best epitomised England’s footballing history against Italy: taxing, strenuous and uncompromising. Limbs on the line, bodies sacrificed in honour of the nation.
England can anticipate a similar contest on Sunday night. Two sides engaged in the art of solidity over extravagance, strength in place of showiness. Gareth Southgate said of the goalless draw in Rome that England “had played the game in an Italian manner”, soaking up pressure and focusing upon organisation.
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.
With Hodgson’s team significantly echoing these attributes so far at the tournament, England will aim to emulate the class of 1997 but need to take their game one further. History shows that battling spirit, determination and resolve are all necessary requisites in deterring Italy. But to effectively dispose of Italy and ensure progress, England will need to build upon these traits with dexterity; a touch of enchantment to prevent the skirmished, scrapping spectacles that have defined the history of England vs Italy.
If you have any comments on this or any other football matter, I want to hear from you. Tweet me @acherrie1
It seems strange how a player who’s won four titles in five years, appeared in three Champions League finals and is one of the first names on the United team sheet still has to win over some fans.
Michael Carrick is one player whose critics point to his lack of goals, assists, domination of certain big games, while his fans- who always seem to be extremely passionate in their support of the midfielder- claim he’s the cog that makes the entire team tick.
Carrick’s taken it upon himself to comment on the retirement of Paul Scholes and how the Unied players need to step up and fill the void as a collective.
The Guardian notes:
“Michael Carrick believes Manchester United’s players need to take collective responsibility for trying to replace Paul Scholes. Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of the difficulties involved in finding a replacement for a player he regards as one of the best he has worked with.
“The United manager has played down the club’s interest in signing Internazionale’s Wesley Sneijder , while Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Modric and Arsenal’s Samir Nasri appear bound for elsewhere.
“Carrick says the best way of overcoming Scholes’s departure is for everyone to do their bit. “Losing a player like Paul is a loss – he brings so much to the team,” Carrick said. “He was a world-class player, so you have to compensate in other ways. We have done that in the past – we lost Cristiano Ronaldo a few years ago and people didn’t think we’d get over it. But different players step up – maybe it is not one player but we share the responsibility.”
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
All very accurate and commendable from Mr Carrick, the question is can he be the one to take over from Scholes as the maestro to orchestrate the midfield? Some would argue he already does, although not even Carrick’s most ardent supporters could claim he’s as effective as Scholes was.
Part of the problem for me is that Carrick is played far too deep in a defensive midfield role that’s simply a waste of his talents and can often highlight his flaws. Carrick’s tackling is not his strong point and although he’s capable of mopping up loose balls and taking the sting out of the game when United are on the backfoot he’s never going to be a barnstorming terrier type that Owen Hargreaves was, or Darren Fletcher sometimes is.
Carrick’s best season was arguably his first when he was allowed much more freedom to roam further forward and it’s no surprise that also wielded his best ever goals tally.
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.
A player of Carrick’s vision could be much more useful to United when he’s allowed to get more involved in the attacking aspect of the game, not just from the inception of an attack but also at the end of it.
With Scholes gone and the Sneijder saga still ongoing, could it be the man from Wallsend who rather than just being part of a ‘collective’ actually steps up and shows why his fans are so vocal in their support of him?
Read more of Justin’s articles at Red Flag Flying High
Manchester City silenced those critics who believe that they are only a one man team, after a Mario Balotelli hat-trick ensured a comfortable home win at Eastlands.
It was an easy day at the office for Roberto Mancini’s men, who built on their impressive showing on Sunday and cemented their title aspirations. To be honest it could have been five or six today as City just went through the motions after notching the decisive 4th early in the second half. The visit of Blackpool is next on the agenda for a City side that find themselves top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least.
So how do Manchester City fans feel about today, and what are the five things we learnt from Mancini’s men this afternoon?
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.
[divider]
Holy Crap – it’s live fantasy football! Become part of Birmingham v Man United and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!
As reported by The Daily Mirror, Arsenal are interested in signing Ajax’s impressive teenage defender Matthijs de Ligt this summer.
What’s the story?
The Gunners are all set to have a big squad overhaul this summer with supporters left desperately disappointed with yet another lacklustre season.
One player that could make the switch to the Emirates Stadium is Ajax starlet Matthijs de Ligt, who has emerged as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in Europe.
That’s according to The Mirror, who report that Gunners scouts were there to see him action for the Netherlands against England last week.
Rated at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, can Arsenal land a young defender that can help improve their defensive options in the short and long-term?
[ad_pod ]
Who is he?
Although he made his debut for Ajax last season and featured prominently in their run to the UEFA Europa League final, this term is the teenager’s first full season as a regular in the Dutch side’s starting eleven.
Helping his side in their challenge for the Eredivisie title, he’s contributed to ten clean sheets this season and show impressive consistent form for a player so young.
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.
He’s developing well for the Netherlands too, with five caps to his name including two starts in the recent international break against England and Portugal, contributing two assists vs the latter.
All signs point to him being a player with enormous potential and if Arsenal can invest in his future early it could pay off massively for years to come.
It was all going rather well for Tottenham Hotspur just a few weeks ago.
Right in the mix for a top-four finish, through to the knockout stages of Europa League, and preparing for a Wembley cup final. Not to mention two fantastic league victories over Chelsea and Arsenal with England’s brightest youngster Harry Kane at the forefront. Fans dared to believe this could be their year after a number of near misses. But we have been here before.
In typical Tottenham fashion, their season is on the verge of unravelling into another campaign that yet again looks to be ending in further disappointment. Last weekend’s dismal display at Old Trafford highlighted everything that we have come to expect from Spurs in recent years; they build themselves up into a great position only to fall at the final hurdle when it really matters.
They were outclassed, out battled and ultimately outplayed by a resurgent Manchester United side in what was a vital game in the race for Champions League qualification. Spurs had the opportunity to draw level on points with United and pile the pressure on a side who had struggled for performances for much of the season.
The ease in which the home side were able to take all three points was alarmingly worrying for Spurs fans. The game was over before half-time, and in truth, they never even put up a fight.
A poor performance was summed up by some costly defensive errors, and their lack of spark and leadership looked a real worry. Phil Jones came closest to troubling David de Gea in the United goal, which tells you all you need to know about how bad they were on the day.
Sunday’s defeat leaves them down in seventh place, and despite a gap of just six points to the top four, it’s hard to see Spurs having enough to turn it around, even with nine games remaining. Their defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup final was a disappointment, and although they played fairly well, they never looked like repeating their impressive 5-3 victory over Jose Mourinho’s side on New Year’s Day.
[ad_pod id=’football-friends’ align=’center’]
But their exit at the hands of Fiorentina in the Europa League was even more frustrating. Spurs had emerged as genuine contenders to lift the trophy and it looked to offer the best opportunity of qualifying for the Champions League. But after Roberto Soldado had spurned a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring in the return leg with the tie level at 1-1, Spurs were sent crashing out after two dreadful errors from their centre-half pairing ended up costing them dearly.
It appears their exploits in Europe may now be catching up with the players as we approach the final stages of the league season, with the number of games Spurs have had a contributing factor to the sides dip in form. A fair point, but considering the number of talented players at their disposal, a squad the size and quality of the one at Tottenham should be able to compete in numerous competitions for as long as necessary without tiring.
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.
Despite the negativity surrounding their performance last weekend, there is still much to be positive about for Spurs fans. A relatively young side looks set for a bright future providing they can hold onto their star players, and they will only improve with each game.
But the manager has a big job on his hands over the next few weeks to ensure his side don’t see their season fizzle out in the latter stages once again. They’ve got themselves into a bad habit over recent seasons and in order to make it to the next level; this habit needs to be broken.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has vowed to prioritise Premier League safety over a possible FA Cup triumph.
The Latics are just 90 minutes away from a trip to Wembley, with Everton their opponents in next weekend’s quarter-final clash.
But, despite the lure of a potential domestic final, Martinez, who watched his team slip to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday, is adamant that his priority is keeping a spot in the top tier of English football:
“Success in the Cup is something we want, but never at the price that it would affect our league campaign,” he is quoted by The Mirror.
“That’s something I will never allow to happen. Our situation is a dangerous one and the position we are in after losing to Liverpool means we need to find the best possible team to carry on playing in the league.”
The Spaniard went on to state that he will continue to use fringe players in the competition in a bid to keep everybody in his squad fit and ready to contribute to their bid for survival:
“The Cup game will give us the opportunity to make changes. Not to rest people, but maybe to find people who deserve to be in the team and to develop real competition.
“Those who have played in the Cup deserve an opportunity and need to show what they can do against Premier League opposition.”
Wigan are currently clear of the drop zone on goal difference, but have played one more game than closest rivals Aston Villa.
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.
They face home clashes with Newcastle and Norwich, before a potentially decisive trip to Loftus Road to take on QPR.
Liverpool will welcome Manchester City to Anfield for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.
It promises to be a fascinating affair on Merseyside as the Reds look to take an advantage into the second leg of the last-eight tie next week.
Liverpool fans have already told head coach Jurgen Klopp that they do not want Jordan Henderson to be in the XI that takes to the field this week.
[ad_pod ]
And now the club’s supporters have offered some more advice to Klopp, claiming that Trent Alexander-Arnold should not be in the starting team at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold has had a number of positive matches in a Liverpool shirt, but some of his positioning has been a little bit suspect, and there is a fear that he could be exposed by the likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling this week.
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.
It remains to be seen whether the full-back, who is valued at £7.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, faces City, but the Liverpool fans have urged Klopp to drop the England Under-21 international.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be found below: