Arsenal look set to land long-term target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain according to the Telegraph with Arsene Wenger finally making moves in the transfer market.
The Southampton winger has been tracked by the Gunners for some time and now looks set to follow in the footsteps of former Saint Theo Walcott in moving to North London.
A fee of £12 million has been protracted with Arsenal paying £7 million up front and the remaining £5 million being paid through performance-related add-ons.
Southampton’s insistence of adding a 40 per cent sell-on fee almost caused the deal to collapse only for both parties to reach an agreement after further talks.
His move to the Emirates will certainly prove to be a major coup for Wenger with the 17-year-old also being monitored by Liverpool and Manchester United.
However the England Under-21 star has always maintained that his preference was a move to the Emirates. Despite the prospect of a season of limited Premier League action he is keen to make the move to London.
It will also be a substantial boost to Wenger and the Gunners fan who have endured a difficult summer in the transfer market so far.
The deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain will certainly appease those in the stands who have craved some serious transfer activity with Gervinho the only major incoming.
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Arsenal expect the deal to be completed this week with personal terms expected to be a mere formality.
Bayern Munich moved to third in the Bundesliga after coming from behind to beat Wolfsburg 3-1 on Saturday.
The defending champions reduced the gap on second-placed Bayer Leverkusen to just three points with their triumph, which came thanks to three second-half goals.
After an uneventful first half, Bremen opened the scoring just after the break when Per Mertesacker converted after good build-up work from Sebastian Prodl.
But Bayern, undefeated in their last eight games in all competitions, fought back strongly and levelled proceedings when Dutch international Arjen Robben found the back of the net after 65 minutes.
Mertesacker turned from hero to villain when he turned the ball into his own net with 14 minutes remaining and substitute Miroslav Klose added the finishing touches with Bayern’s third four minutes from time.
Werder goalkeeper Tim Wiese was given a straight red card in the dying stages which will see him banned, adding further misery to the day for Thomas Schaaf’s side, who are only three points above the bottom three.
Borussia Dortmund re-established their 11 point lead at the top of the league with a convincing 3-0 away win at Wolfsburg.
Leverkusen’s 2-0 win against Hannover on Friday moved them within eight points of Juergen Klopp’s side, but Dortmund answered the challenge on Saturday, making the perfect start when Paraguay international Lucas Barrios scored after just two minutes.
Further goals to Nuri Sahin and Mats Hummels wrapped up the victory, with Wolfsburg struggling in 12th after the defeat.
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In other matches, Nuremberg upset an in-form Hamburg 2-0 thanks to second-half strikes from Timmy Simons and Almog Cohen, while Isaac Vorsah’s fourth-minute goal gave Hoffenheim a 1-0 away win at Schalke.
In a battle between two of the strugglers in the Bundesliga, St Pauli thrashed Cologne 3-0, thanks largely to a Charles Takyi brace.
There are moments in life where you set aside important decisions hoping that once forgotten, they will not have to be addressed. Ultimately the time comes when these imperative judgements will have to be dealt with. If left too long, these decisions acquire their own baggage which only greater confuse the situation. The FA exemplified this when coming to a decision on the new England manager. A decision that was so delayed in its conclusion that the FA and their lack of transparency was questioned more than ever before.
The media circus that surrounded the vacant national managers post was overwhelming. This was undoubtedly fuelled by the lack of decision making prowess from the FA. When Capello left his duties on the 8th February this year, the outright favourite of fans and pundits alike was Harry Redknapp, with some bookmakers stopping all bets on the Spurs Manager becoming the new National Coach. No one could escape the rumours, especially the Tottenham players and staff who must have been aware of the uncertainty surrounding their popular managers future. With Redknapp previously asserting that he would have to accept the England job if it was offered to him, it seemed only a matter of time before he received his dream position. Days went past and still no word from The FA as to whom the next manager would be. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s unexpectedly scintillating season, was taking a turn for the worst. It seemed no coincidence that as soon as the England position became available and Redknapp was named as favourite, Spurs’ form deteriorated. However, finally, nearly 3 months after Capello’s resignation, the FA announced Roy Hodgson as the new England manager. It seemed peculiar to most when the Chief Executive David Bernstein stated that Hodgson was the only man approached in lieu of the vacancy.
The lack of transparency shown by the FA in the 3 month period where the country were without a manager, must have caused such uproar in the Tottenham camp. The whole debacle has indirectly cost Redknapp his job. Did Levy assume that his teams manager would leave as was reported in almost every national newspaper? Had the Tottenham chairman arranged a replacement for Harry after the misjudged inevitability of an approach for his services? With Redknapp publicly declaring his understandable desire for the England job, higher powers at Spurs may have felt that his burning passion for the position at White Hart Lane was extinguished, when he was not approached by his country.
To avoid the criticism that has been thrown toward the FA, Bernstein and Co. should have either made an immediate decision and discounted other managers whom they were not interested in. If Hodgson was the only choice for the vacancy, why were the FA so tight lipped when questioned about Redknapp? If the former West Ham player was not contacted, Bernstein should have announced this to the media. It felt as if the FA were reluctant to discount the nations first choice of manager, in order to avoid negative comments about the governing body and an instant disapproval of their chosen coach.
Ultimately, the FA must have had an impact on Tottenham’s decision to part with Harry Redknapp. So much explanation is required for their scarcity of communication during some of the most important months for the national team this millennia. However, true to form, expect the FA to remain quiet or totally remove themselves from the debacle that has culminated in one of the most surprising managerial removals in recent memory.
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Former Liverpool target Alvaro Pereira may soon be making the move to the Premier League, but could find himself in West London rather than Merseyside.
With Liverpool having signed Jose Enrique from Newcastle, their interest in Pereira seems to have cooled, giving Andre Villas-Boas the perfect opportunity to reunite himself with his former charge. Having let Yuri Zhirkov leave earlier in the summer, and Ashley Cole not getting any younger, Villas-Boas is keen to add to his options on the left flank.
Having coached Pereira previously at Porto, Villas-Boas will know exactly what he has to offer Chelsea, and will be confident that he can fit seemlessly into the current system employed by the Blues. Used predominantly as an attacking wing back, with a similar style to left back incumbent Cole, the 25-year old may find himself as the long term replacement for the ageing Cole.
Whilst Pereira will not be available on the cheap, it seems as if Roman Abramovich is willing to back his new coach in the market, especially in acquiring younger players to alleaviate a squad containing many key players over the age of 30. The Record is reporting that Chelsea have prepared a bid of €18M plus an unnamed player for the Uruguayan international, but it remains to be seen whether Porto will hold out for the release clause in Pereira’s contract, believed to be around €30M.
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Iraq coach Wolfgang Sidka was more inclined to focus on his side’s Asian Cup knockout-stage qualification than the 1-0 win over North Korea.The defending champions booked their place in the knockout stages of Asia’s premier national soccer tournament with a largely lacklustre victory on Wednesday and will now face Australia in the last eight.
But they will need a much-improved performance if they are to beat Asia’s top-ranked side, having been pushed all the way by North Korea.
Sidka, however, said after the game that he was just happy to be through to the next round.
“If they were allowed to attack, sure they would have been able to get back into it but we imposed ourselves on the match,” he said.
“We kept the ball, especially in the first half, we had a lot of ball possession so we didn’t allow them to create opportunities.”
“It was always our plan that we would have more ball possession and not let them play.”
“The most important thing is that we are now playing Australia in the quarter-final. I think we deserve this victory, we played very well, especially in the first half.”
“I was very satisfied with the way we played. In the last 20 minutes, North Korea did everything to try and get back into the match so we lost a little bit of possession and control of the match but not too much.”
“In the end, 1-0, I think we deserve it. We are happy and we are looking forward to the quarter-final.”
North Korea went behind after Kerrar Jasim scored the game’s only goal on 22 minutes, and coach Jo Tong-Sop believes the early strike dented his side’s confidence.
“We conceded the goal too early in the first half. This disrupted our tactics,” Jo said.
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“In the second half we improved and tried to make chances to score goals but we lost the match 1-0.”
“This was the last match and we didn’t get a good result. I think for the players, they had psychological problems and so were unable to read the match.”
“Tactically they didn’t do so well especially when the other team played long and medium-range passes. We didn’t react too quickly when we conceded the goal.”
When I visited the San Siro in 2008 I was in awe. Despite the stadium undergoing some repairs during the off-season, I still felt the force of the history that had unfolded there. As I entered the changing rooms I envisaged seeing all the players who had sat in the seats during half time. Franco Baresi, Marco van Basten, Rui Costa, Andriy Shevchenko, Paolo Maldini and Kaka, just a few of some of the most illustrious players to have spent time in that room. But of the crop of players at that time, the man whose seat I felt the greatest desire to sit in was that of Clarence Seedorf.
A true genius of modern football, Seedorf was so assured in possession. He treated the ball well, rarely giving it away and stroking it lovingly to his team-mates. Capable of the most intricate of touches to wriggle between opponents, he conversely had an innate ability to thump the ball with devastating power and unerring accuracy. Despite losing some of his pace in recent years, these comprehensive talents will ensure that he can still play for at least another two seasons at a high level.
Seedorf was part of the last great Ajax side that lifted the Champions League in 1995. At 19-years-old he was playing alongside the likes of Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert and the De Boer brothers in what proved to be the start of a long and decorated career.
After one season with Sampdoria, the Dutchman moved to Real Madrid. In an era preceding the Galacticos he was a key part of the side that regained the Liga title in 1997 before winning his second Champions League title the following year. Despite falling out of favour under Guus Hiddink in his third and final year int he Spanish capital, his spell was immortalised by an astonishing, timeless goal against Atletico Madrid. After shifting the ball out of his feet 40 yards from goal, he lashed a swerving effort at goal. The keeper, anticipating the cross left his goal exposed and the ball rifled into the roof of the net.
An unsuccessful spell at Inter followed. He may not have won any trophies with the Nerazzurri but his two stunning strikes in the 2-2 draw with Juventus ensured that he was remembered fondly by the club. However, that game was probably soon erased from the minds of supporters given the insurmountable glory he achieved with their arch rivals, AC Milan.
He became an icon in 10 years with the Rossoneri, winning two Scudetti as well as a pair of Champions League titles that made him the only player in history to win the tournament with three different clubs. He also won a World Club Cup and another five titles during his time in the red half of Milan. Seedorf performed consistently for the side and this is where he truly earned his credentials as a world class player.
At 36-years-old he played a smaller part last season in what was a heavily rotated Milan midfield, yet he still participated in many of the side’s most important game. He provided composure, class and tenacity in the heart of the park that will have convinced many clubs across the world that he still has plenty to offer them. He announced his decision to leave the club and according to The Daily Mail, he said:
“I am leaving after 10 fantastic years – they were intense years, so many seasons passed by so quickly like everything that’s great in life. I thank everyone, truly everyone. What emotion. I will let you know soon about my future. I am taking my time. I have lots of offers.”
The Dutchman has been heavily linked to a move to the homeland of his wife with Brazilian club Botafogo. Yet while his future may remain uncertain, there is no doubt about his likeability as his good-mannered nature made him a favourite of all in the footballing world. Well spoken in his punditry and frequently far more interesting than the majority of pundits on British televsion, his personality and skill with a football were perfectly summed up while working for the BBC during World Cup 2010.
All the talk was of the uncontrolable Jabulani football as the reason for a number of disappointing games and wayward shots. Yet Seedorf took to a local park in his jeans and football boots and filmed himself pinging the ball into the top corner with consumate ease. His effortless class was barely matched by any player participating in the tournament.
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It is often said that international success is the hallmark of the true greats of the game, something that Seedorf failed to achieve with Netherlands. Yet he has made a mark on European club football the likes of which remain unmatched. When people recall the greatest players to have participated in the Champions League he will no doubt be close to the top. While he may not be remembered as equal to the historical likes of Pele, Diego Maradona and Ferenc Puskas due to his lack of international glory, he is without doubt one of the greatest players of the modern era and will be remembered by a whole generation of supporters. And there could still be more to come!
Let me know your favourite memories of Seedorf’s illustrious career on Twitter.
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri expects prized asset Marek Hamsik to remain at the club next season, despite interest from across Europe.Slovakia captain Hamsik has been heavily linked with a move away from Napoli after guiding the team to third place in Serie A and a Champions League qualification berth last season.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claims to have set a 100-million-euro asking price for the 23-year-old in a bid to warn off potential suitors.
Arsenal are believed to be among those interested in the creative midfielder, who could replace Cesc Fabregas if the Spain international completes a move back to Barcelona.
Scudetto winners AC Milan have also been linked with Hamsik.
Despite the extent of speculation surrounding a potential transfer, Mazzarri is confident Hamsik will still be at the Stadio San Paolo when the 2011/12 campaign begins.
“Marek is happy to work with me and he is very motivated. He is happy to remain here,” Mazzarri told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I have spoken to him and from what I know, in the end he will not leave.”
Hamsik joined Napoli from Brescia in 2007.
He scored 11 goals in 37 league appearances last season and has four years remaining on his contract.
West Brom should not underestimate Aston Villa this weekend warns James Morrison.
The Baggies travel to Villa Park on Saturday as the favourites to end their 25-year, 16-game wait to get one over on their Midlands rivals after winning their last two league matches.
In contrast, Villa sit just two points outside the relegation zone and will head into the match with a whole host of injury concerns and with the supporters having seemingly fallen out with manager Gerard Houllier.
However, despite Villa appearing to be in crisis at the moment, Morrison says West Brom cannot afford to underestimate their local rivals as he looks for the Baggies to end their Villa hoodoo.
"We're on a decent run and they haven't been at their best," Morrison told the Birmingham Mail.
"But they've got some decent players and we'll have to be wary of them.
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"I also think form goes out of the window in a derby.
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Glenn Roeder is no stranger to Newcastle United, having captained and managed them throughout his footballing career, and he is absolutely delighted at the progress they have made this season:
“Absolutely brilliant. That is a club that is very dear to my heart having spent eight years up there as a player and a manager. It’s great they are having such success under Alan Pardew, who would be the first to admit that it was Chris Hughton who got them going again after they were relegated. Hughton did extremely well to get them back up again at the first time of asking, which is very important. If you don’t do it at the first time of asking then it gets more difficult. The club then made the decision – which was quite unpopular at the time – to let Chris go and bring in Alan. Alan is doing a fantastic job at Newcastle and Chris Hughton is now doing brilliantly at Birmingham.
“The person that keeps getting mentioned with Newcastle’s success is their chief scout, Graham Carr, who has done wonders with the players that he has found in France, Holland and Germany. I watched Papiss Cisse for Freiburg earlier this season and was very positive about him.”
One of the reasons Newcastle have made great progress this season has been their summer transfer policy that saw some astute signings brought in. Roeder believes it underlines why Mike Ashley has been so successful in business and why the club are in safe hands for the future:
“I think Mike Ashley has proved why he is so astute in business. He has sold at the highest point and bought at value for money. He has found the highest prices possible for the players he has sold, and he has reinvested in others who have all proved to be bargains. If they suddenly had to have a fire sale, they could sell all of those players they have bought recently for three or four times what they paid for them.”
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For more insight from Glenn Roeder and other leading managers plus exclusive Barclays Premier League highlights go to www.yahoo.co.uk/sport
The end of the football season has made me twiddle my thumbs, awaiting confirmed transfer news and the fixtures that will be out on Friday. In between these thoughts, I’ve been thinking of football from yesteryear and like my article on the top ten football nostalgia back in February, I’ve decided to re-visit it, with another 10 examples of what made Football ‘ruddy amazing back in the day!
If you’ve got your own suggestions, then please comment as I want to know. Perhaps we can share our football nostalgia to stop going into close season insanity and depression which is very, very common. Don’t worry, a trip down memory lane should help and remember, the 2011/2012 football fixtures are released on Friday morning! I certainly can’t wait..
Click on the League Ladders below to see Part Two
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