It is a never ending row that will go round in circles time and again. Just which league is the best? The Premier League, Serie A, the Bundesliga or La Liga? Ours has the best player in the world says a Spaniard. Ours is the most competitive says a German and ours is the most exciting says an Englishman. The school ground essence to the ‘mine’s better than yours’ debate is difficult to quell but if we are to embrace such a dispute, last week’s Europa League action represented the lesser known Athletic Bilbao winning handsomely against the current English champions; Manchester United.
The victory twinned with both Messi’s and Ronaldo’s sparkling form on the Iberian Peninsula has led to some claiming La Liga is indeed the best with a host of competitive teams being uncelebrated beyond the big two. We have a fantastic top division in this country, but in light of Bilbao’s victory and indeed Spain’s dominance on the international stage in general, we thought we would break the mould (and potentially upset a few people) by listing the top ten worst aspects of the Premier League.
Nothing is ever perfect and although punditry panels containing Jamie Redknapp may relentlessly repeat that the Premier League is the best, the division isn’t immune to a few improvements. Let us cast a more critical eye over this country’s prized asset.
Click on The Emirates Stadium below to see the Top 10
If you think I have been brave (or stupid) enough to mock the league we all love so much, you may want to follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989
Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck will open talks in the summer over a new contract, with the attacker’s wages expected to be tripled, according to Mirror Football.
The home-grown attacker has overtaken Javier Hernandez as Wayne Rooney’s first-choice strike partner, and has played a role in leading the Red Devils to the top of the league.
Welbeck is said to be earning £15,000-a-week currently, but will see his earnings tripled by the Premier League champions, and be offered a new five-year deal at the end of the campaign.
Despite Welbeck’s contract expiring in the summer of 2013, there has been no reason to suggest that he will not extend, and it is said that neither player or club are concerned about the expiring deal.
The attacker has made 38 appearances for United this term, scoring 12 goals, and it is believed that his new contract will have goal-related bonuses written into it also.
Welbeck looks like a shoe-in for England’s 2012 squad, after an excellent year for the sprightly forward.
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Roberto Di Matteo believes that AVB deserves some credit for Chelsea’s success in the FA Cup this season, given the role he played during the start of the cup run. It was a nice gesture and words by the Italian, who refused to be drawn into speculation over his long term future as manager of the Blues. Frank Lampard has lauded Di Matteo’s influence at the football club and the confidence he has instilled in the team at Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere in the news Sir Trevor Brooking has reacted to claims his feud with Redknapp cost him the England job; Wenger has attacked referees for the lack of penalties awarded to Arsenal this season, while Manchester United are favourites to land Nicolas Gaitan.
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Headlines
Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that Manchester United will never be able to compete with City financially – Guardian
Kenny Dalglish has lamented the naivety that his Liverpool side showed for large parts of the cup final – Guardian
Roy Hodgson will confide in Fabio Capello in his preparations for Euro 2012 – Guardian
Alan Pardew says that Newcastle’s success this season has simply been down to building a solid backline – Daily Telegraph
Manchester United appear favourites to land Nicolas Gaitan, according the player’s agent – Metro
Frank Lampard has lauded the influence that Di Matteo has had on the football club and the confidence he has installed in the team – Independent
Sir Trevor Brooking denies that his rift with Harry Redknapp was the reason the Tottenham boss didn’t get a look in for the England job – Daily Mail
Arsene Wenger has blast referees for the lack of penalties awarded at the Emirates this season – Daily Mail
Premier League big guns are all chasing FC Twente striker, Luuk de Jong – Mirror
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Paul Pogba is set to quit Manchester United and sign for Juventus at the end of the season – Daily Mail
Arsenal are set to cash in Marouane Chamakh and Ju-Young Park, following the arrival of Lukas Podolski – Metro
As will be so adeptly shown in Poland and Ukraine over the next few weeks, Europe is home to the most talented footballers in the world. Along with competitions that integrate the entire continent such as the Champions League and the Europa League, Europe hosts some of the fiercest, most exciting domestic competitions in sport. The English Premier League and Spain’s La Liga are quite justifiably the two most superior domestic leagues in the world. In addition Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and the Eredivisie all boast players who are talented at their craft. All of the aforementioned divisions are represented on this list of the top free transfers that could be tempting the Premier League this summer. With such an exciting season for football fans, the summers lack of action is made up for by the attention that surrounds each club as they buy and sell players in preparation for the new season.
From mature players who were once considered in the world’s elite to young guns who are looking to move to a new club, with their sight set on a bigger challenge, this list will truly indicate the wealth of footballing talent that is available for absolutely free.
Click on Chivu to unveil the 15 Euro Bosmans to tempt Premier League clubs
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Newly appointed Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will have the final say on Alberto Aquilani’s Anfield future according to the player’s agent Franco Zavaglia.
The Italian midfielder struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and has spent the last two seasons on loan in Serie A, initially with Juventus and more recently AC Milan.
Aquilani scored just one goal in 23 league appearances for the Rossoneri last season and according to the Independent Zavaglia told Italian radio station Radio Mana Mana that he doesn’t believe the player’s future lies in the Italian capital.
“If Milan had wanted to sign him then they should have made their move sooner.
“The new Liverpool coach will decide Alberto’s fate.
“We will have to wait and see what he thinks about the player and whether Alberto will be of any use to the Reds.
That means Rodgers will have to run the rule over a player who still has two years remaining on his contract. Despite failing to impress the Merseyside faithful, the cultured playmaker is still open to an Anfield return, as long as he’s given a decent chance to prove his worth.
“Alberto has a contract at Liverpool for another two years and they will let us know about their intentions soon.
“He would be happy to stay at Liverpool if he was given the right opportunities.”
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Almost a month into Brendan Rodgers’ first month at the Anfield reins and all has gone quiet on Merseyside. Transfer conjecture, as expected, continues to swell as the Northern Irishman continues to keep his recruitment plans under wraps. Rodgers will be frustrated at losing out on Gylfi Sigurdsson as the Icelandic midfielder closes in on a move to North London, whilst reported target Fabio Borini opted to continue his career revitalisation in Italy. After watching their rivals spend big to bring in some of Europe’s top talents you’d have to forgive Reds fans for thinking they’re being left behind. Especially when they pick up the newspaper on a morning to see they’re being linked with Victor Moses. But if theres one thing we’ve all learned from Rodgers’ short career in the dugout is that he doesn’t require big name players to bring success to a club. His principles are built upon finding players capable of complying with his strategic, passing philosophy. Money was spent in abundance during Kop idol Kenny Dalglish’s second coming but it’s unlikely the same level of funds will be afforded to Rodgers as the new season draws ever closer.
This week on FFC where does Charlie Adam’s Anfield career go from here and which Uruguayan playmaker to the Reds face a battle to sign?
Best of FFC
What next for Charlie Adam?
Does Steven Gerrard’s England form spell the end?
Time for the Premier League to renew it’s interest in Giuseppe Rossi?
Should Premier League clubs look to Txiki Begiristain to aid development?
The British Manager has suddenly become fashionable
Why US ownership could slowly move the goalposts in football
The TEN players whose ability does not match their reputation
Liverpool face transfer battle for Uruguayan
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Best of WEB
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Should Rodgers Stick & Improve, or Twist Current Squad? – Live 4 Liverpool
‘World Class’ football performance: A new definition… – Liverpool Kop
Liverpool FC – The transfer scramble – This is Anfield
Cyterszpiler confirms Liverpool interest in Vargas – Liverpool Kop
How Do Liverpool Go Forth Into Fourth? – The Tomkins Times
We’re Missing Out On Targets – Should We Be Concerned? – Live 4 Liverpool
The re-birth of Andy Carroll – This is Anfield
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Quote of the Week
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“We all look at how Swansea played last year – they were a breath of fresh air for the Premier League and I think that’s probably one of the reasons why Brendan Rodgers has got the job.
“He has a lot of experience coaching-wise – he’s worked with Jose Mourinho.
So we’re all looking forward to it. Obviously we’re disappointed for Kenny [Dalglish] and the staff because I got on well with them but we have to move forward and get right behind the manager” Jamie Carragher says he is relishing playing under Brendan Rodgers
It’s promised to be one of the longest, arduous and quite frankly dull transfer saga’s of the summer, but Tottenham appear to have drawn a line in the sand regarding the sale of prized asset Luka Modric to Real Madrid. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped one of the world’s most media-hungry manager trying to get in on the act with his two pence’s worth, with Harry Redknapp stating that a deal is all but done between the two parties – it begs the question, should he really be divulging such secret information?
Redknapp lost his job at the end of last season for finishing fourth in a three-horse race. The goalposts weren’t moved, Champions League qualification wasn’t achieved and it seemed the right move as his lack of squad rotation ultimately cost Tottenham down the home straight as Chelsea clinched the Champions League, dumping them right back into the Europa League.
The result is that Redknapp was sacked by Levy, with a fractious relationship being played out in public, with the nadir coming during England’s Euro 2012 run. The fact of the matter is that Redknapp thought he had the England job in the bag, he openly flirted with the FA, and when they went for Hodgson instead, his demands of £3m per year fell to roughly £1m per year as they haggled over the length of any new deal.
It was always destined to be a marriage of convenience, and Redknapp by and large did well at the club, but the feeling persists that he feels a certain sense of injustice at the way he was treated and dismissed and it’s directly led to these latest ‘in the know’ Modric quotes from everybody’s favourite rent-a-quote.
Redknapp stated: “I would not be sure Luka would start the season at Tottenham. The club would be happy to sell if they get the right money. The chairman (Daniel Levy) said to him last year ‘Give us one more season and if Real come in, I won’t stand in your way’.”
It seems odd as Real Madrid weren’t even in for Modric last summer, not that anybody knows of, after they signed Nuri Sahin, Fabio Coentrao and Hamit Altintop instead, with Chelsea the main club after his signature, bidding as much as £40m for the Croatian playmaker at one stage, which Levy rejected out of hand as a matter of principle. Tottenham would be lucky to get that much this summer, but Levy is an extremely tough negotiator, and he’ll drive a hard bargain – if Real Madrid really want the player, they’ll have to pay around £35m for him.
Redknapp always seemed open to the idea last summer of selling Modric, stating back in August: “They are your options. You either sell him, get the money and bring four players in and have a better team, probably, in all honesty. Or you keep Luka, who’s a fantastic player. It’s difficult. What would you do if someone offered to treble your wages? It’s hard. It’s not easy for him. I think people understand. We all love our club and he’s got to play for Tottenham, but when someone comes along and offers to treble your wages and play for a team in the Champions League, who could win the Champions League, it’s not easy. He’s had his head turned.”
Yet just prior to that statement, he offered this, when the deal was still around the £30m mark: “If we were looking to sell him, it (£30m) wouldn’t meet my valuation. I think he is worth an awful lot more money than that. Really, we’re not looking to sell Luka. We need to keep our best players, so he is a player that we want to keep if possible. We’re quite determined, if we can, to hang on to him but it is a difficult situation. It’s a difficult one for Luka and it’s a difficult one for Tottenham.”
It’s like nailing jelly to a wall, it really is. The sheer volume of contradictions that Redknapp is guilty of over the past few years is off the scale when comparing him to other top flight managers. Every manager tries to mislead the press from time to time regarding signings, with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger among the best at this, but Redknapp isn’t even Tottenham manager anymore, so why exactly is he still talking about their players?
Stating that Modric is likely to leave is hardly breaking any new ground, but the final throwaway line regarding the situation is rank incompetence and extremely unprofessional. You have to take whatever Redknapp says with a pinch of salt, he loves the sound of his own voice, but divulging information of private meetings from his time as Tottenham boss looks like little more than an attempt to get back at Daniel Levy and it has the potential to force the club on the back foot in negotiations with Real Madrid. He may not be a tactics-driven manager, but there’s one thing that Redknapp is something of an expert with, which is his relations with the media and the timing of his statements.
Modric will likely leave the club this summer, with his destination all but certain to be Real Madrid, there’s nothing wrong with commenting on that, it’s out there for all the public to see, but it’s when Redknapp begins to broadcast previously unheard of tit-bits of information such as any supposed verbal agreement between the club and Modric about Real Madrid’s long-standing interest in the player that he seriously oversteps the mark.
If Redknapp is running out of newspaper column material already now that he’s unemployed, perhaps he should think about finding a new job as opposed to disclosing such matters and airing his dirty linen in public. Dining out in such a showy fashion only threatens to leave a sour taste in the fan’s mouths and he’d be best served keeping any Tottenham-related talk off the agenda while things are still up in the air and his obvious wounds are so raw, otherwise he merely comes off as being a tad on the bitter side in an attempt to try and appear relevant – disclosing intimate details of any proposed agreement is not only ill-advised, it’s outright negligent and it has to stop.
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In recent seasons it has become common to see Ipswich spend a lot of time in the relegation zone before they pull themselves together and drag themselves to safety in the second half of the season.
This has happened under both Roy Keane and Paul Jewell but judging from the small amount of football that has been played, they won’t have that problem this year.
It is very difficult to make a good assessment of the team after only two games and we will know a lot more about the side 5 or 10 games in but the early signs are relatively positive. A convincing win over Bristol Rovers may not be much to shout about but you can only beat what is in front of you and Ipswich did exactly that. The main positive to take from the cup game is that the side did a professional job and had the right attitude.
In the past Ipswich have struggled in the League Cup as most of the players failed to find the necessary motivation when up against lower league sides. It is likely that the current Ipswich team show more commitment in every game as they aren’t just at the club for the money.
Moving on to the Blackburn game there are many positives to take from the game as well as a few negatives. Neither side looked overly impressive but Ipswich were the better out of the two teams. Blackburn have some pretty big names for The Championship and the average age of Ipswich side was only 23.5 years old.
It was impressive to see such a young side better Blackburn despite the fact that neither team were at their best. On the other hand a lot of fans will be unhappy with the manner in which Ipswich conceded the goal which ultimately cost them a win.
Conceding from a set piece is something that will frustrate Paul Jewell too as it was a problem in pre-season that he obviously hasn’t managed to iron out. The Ipswich team are perhaps a little on the short side in comparison to other Championship sides so may be a little vulnerable from set pieces but personally I felt like it wasn’t a terrible goal to concede.
Morton Gamst Pedersen provided a good ball, Scott Dann made a good jump/header and Kazim-Richards did what all good strikers do by making sure he was in the right place at the right time. I don’t think you will find many better crossers in the division than Pedersen; in the same sense that there aren’t many players better at winning a header than Dann and Kazim-Richards is a great poacher, so it was a decent goal.
It has to be said that Carlos Edwards was caught slightly out and lost his man but it is a forgivable slip up as long as it doesn’t keep happening throughout the season.
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Overall the game had more positives than negatives for Ipswich despite the fact that Steve Kean thought his team “controlled the game for the first hour.” I am not really sure which game Kean was watching as his post-match comments are possibly even more ridiculous than some of the comments coming from the Blackburn owners. There’s a lot of pressure on Steve Kean and he was probably making his comments in the hope that the owners hadn’t watched the game as they were too busy thinking about how stupid they were for sacking Sam Allardyce.
Regardless, Ipswich have provided 2 solid performances in the opening games and hopefully there will be more to follow.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be concerned with the fitness of Jonny Evans, after the Northern Ireland defender revealed he felt pain five minutes into his comeback in Friday’s 2-0 defeat by Russia. ESPN reports
Manchester United are already desperately short of defensive options, with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling already on the treatment table, causing Michael Carrick to move into the centre-back position for the defeat against Everton.
“I was disappointed I felt pain so quickly in the game but, if I am being honest, I always expected I would feel a little pain, just not that early. After a couple of painkillers, it did feel a bit better and if anything I felt stronger as the game went on, but I had a heavier strapping on then”, Evans said.
Evans looks set to start in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg, but manager Michael O’Neill insists he will not take any risks with the Manchester United defender’s, following his recovery from an ankle injury.
“We have no major concerns over Jonny but we just have to manage him.”If there was any risk, we wouldn’t take that risk and neither would Jonny”, he said.
Even if Evans comes through the match unscathed, Ferguson will still only have three fit central defenders at his disposal.
Goran Popov was the final player to check into West Bromwich Albion this summer, and he hopes to stay for longer than his one-year loan deal.
The Macedonian international left-back wants to sign a permanent deal when this one expires. Popov, who joined from Dynamo Kiev, claims Albion had been keeping an eye on him for a while. He told the Birmingham Post:
“I know that West Bromwich wanted me two or three years ago when I was playing in Holland. When I heard they wanted me a second time I said ‘this is a good chance for me to show what I can do’. I’m so happy to sign for West Bromwich, I hope after this one year I will sign for two or three more.”
The 27-year-old signed for Stoke City in August, but the transfer fell through after he failed to be granted a UK work permit. However, the loan move to West Brom went through smoothly, and the Macedonian is eager to make his mark on the Premier League.
“Dynamo usually finishes first or second in Ukraine and as I have a three-year contract there I know – if I go back – I’ll be able to play Champions League football. But I will only have one chance to come to England and I want to use it because I always dreamed of it.”
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Popov won’t be the first Macedonian to represent Albion. Artim Sakiri spent a couple of years at Albion between 2003 and 2005. Whether he will debut for West Brom in any of this month’s games – against Fulham, Reading, Liverpool and Aston Villa – remains to be seen.