Liverpool attacker Luis Suarez has stated that it will be very difficult for his side to win the Premier League title due to the strength of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.
The Uruguay international has had a scintillating time at Anfield since moving from Ajax in January, but despite his form, and a 2-0 win over Everton at the weekend, he feels Liverpool cannot finish top of the pile.
“We have no limit and want to stay in the top four. But winning the Premier League is now very difficult. The main reason why it is so difficult is because the two Manchesters and Chelsea are unreachable. But we can win the cups,” he told Mirror Football.
Suarez scored one of the goals in the Merseyside derby victory on Saturday, and is quickly becoming a fans favourite, similar to others who have wore the number seven jersey for The Reds.
“I didn’t know the history of my No.7 shirt at Liverpool. I picked it because it was one of the few numbers available.
“Now that I know the story I am proud to wear the ‘7’ and I try not to feel the burden of its heritage,” he concluded.
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Liverpool’s pedigree will be put to the test in their next game, as they host champions Manchester United at Anfield after the international break.
William Gallas has said that he believes that Arsenal were wrong to make him the scapegoat and his performances in the Premier League since leaving Arsenal – have proved that they should have kept him. Gallas fell out of favour at Arsenal in November 2008, when he was stripped of the captaincy and fined two weeks wages for publically criticizing his fellow French international teammate Samir Nasri and other Arsenal players. Gallas says that when he was at Arsenal he had a message to share as captain. Gallas said “As the captain at Arsenal I wanted to give them a message, but they didn’t get it. I may have been clumsy with the words I used, but the substance of the message was right.”
Gallas went on to say “I signed for Arsenal from Chelsea where I won titles and wanted to share my experience because I thought we were missing commitment in our work. But unfortunately my message was misunderstood and I am responsible for that.”
Gallas also said “the coach thought I was finished but I have proved him wrong. I had the opportunity to go to Qatar but the Premier League is so stimulating and I wanted to show that I could still compete at the highest level and Tottenham have given me that opportunity.”
It would be difficult to reach any kind of conclusion that would suggest if Gallas was the missing ingredient this season for Arsenal. There is no doubt that Arsenal was missing certain qualities but was Gallas really it? Arsene Wenger does have an entirely different philosophy to say Sir Alex Ferguson when to comes to players and at what stage they have no use. In general Arsenal prefer to operate a young squad and usually sell players before they reach 30 – but of course there are exceptions to this rule. Manchester United on the other hand feels players still have their uses over 30 and this is shown by the use of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville although the latter two have since retired.
It’s hard to argue with the record that Sir Alex Ferguson has but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Arsene Wenger was wrong to get rid of Gallas. Plenty of people have their ideas about what has gone wrong at Arsenal this season. My personal feeling is that having Gallas around the place would not have made a lot of difference – but I still think the Frenchman has some sort of a point.
What Arsenal do in the summer transfer market isn’t so much about the amount of money they spend or even the quality of players they recruit. After all despite the fact that Stan Kroenke has provided fresh money for Arsene Wenger to play with, the reality is Wenger will want to stick to his transfer policies. So with that in mind I would be surprised if Arsenal started splashing money around left, right and centre. However, there are two key areas to look at and one of those areas seems to be leadership and the other seems to be central defence quality.
Now, many Arsenal fans would point to Thomas Vermaelen and there is little doubt the Belgium international is a quality player and as captain of his national team may be the answer to the leadership problem – especially if current captain Cesc Fabregas moves on. But let’s remember that Vermaelen spent a lot of last season out injured and even if he could stay fit – he needs a quality partner.
So there are certainly problems that Arsenal needs to address in the summer, but do you think that Gallas has a point? Was he really missed last season?
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New Chelsea boss, Andre Villas-Boas has promised that it is not a one man show at Stamford Bridge and he will operate very much in a democratic manor during his time. I guess that pours a certain amount of cold water over the claims he is the new ‘Special One’ and there doesn’t appear to be any ego or arrogance with him.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include more evidence found against FIFA pair; Manchester City ditch their reserves to play in Euro tournament; Pele tells Neymar to snub Chelsea, while Aston Villa give Liverpool the green light to move for Stewart Downing.
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Villas–Boas arrives without bravado – Guardian
Evidence found against Fifa pair – Daily Telegraph
Man City ditch Reserve League to play against Euro’s elite – Daily Mail
Gerrard fitness race for new season – Daily Telegraph
Brown: Team GB threatens Scotland – Guardian
United close in on Young – Sky Sports
Pele tells Neymar to snub Chelsea and go to Spain instead – Mirror
Arsenal resume their long-term pursuit of Everton defender Jagielka – Daily Mail
Inter rule out Tevez swoop – Sun
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Berbatov wants showdown talks to decide United future – Mirror
It’s a simple question and one had I asked at the very beginning of the season, would have seemed like a no-brainer in favour of the Mexican.
Last season Chicharito was arguably the biggest positive in United’s entire campaign bursting onto the scene with a series of memorable and important goals that quickly established him as one of the world’s most lethal young strikers.
While Chicharito was bagging goals with aplomb for United, Danny Welbeck was busy impressing, albeit to a lesser degree at Sunderland. The Mancunian may not have set the scoring charts alight but he did bag some important strikes and proved he could hack it in the Premier League, a lesson United took heed of.
This season, Welbeck has stepped it up a gear, scoring freely and linking up with the likes of Cleverley, Anderson, Nani and Rooney to give United the sort of football that’s often been missing these past couple of seasons. Meanwhile Chicharito, recovering from a head injury picked up in pre-season, hasn’t been able to enjoy a real run in the side yet, although he’s still managed to bag a brace of goals at the Reebok.
Welbeck’s actually played one less league game than Chicharito- mainly due to a hamstring picked up against Arsenal, but has shone since his return bagging two goals against Basel and a late nerve calmer in the last league game versus Norwich.
The question then is who should start against Liverpool at Anfield a week on Saturday? Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez , who took the Premier League by storm last season or Danny Welbeck, who’s done something not too dissimilar this season?
Personally, I think you should start the form player in a game that should United win, would give us the boost to make our start to the season almost unreal. Welbeck couldn’t have done much better this season and while Chicharito is definitely a big game player, I feel he’d be more useful coming off the bench should he be needed than Welbeck would.
It’s a great problem for Sir Alex to have to wrestle and either way there’s no real wrong answer, tell us which young striker you’d start against Liverpool?
Read more of Justin’s articles at Red Flag Flying High
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The Crown Prosecution Service has revealed that they are set to charge John Terry over accusations of racism, but the Chelsea defender is eager to clear his name.
QPR centre half Anton Ferdinand accused Terry of a racist slur in Andre Villas Boas’ men’s 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road on 23rd October, and the England international will now appear in West London Magistrates’ Court on 1st February.
Despite the charges being aimed against him, Terry still maintains his innocence and has vowed to get a not guilty verdict.
“I am disappointed with the decision to charge me and hope to be given the chance to clear my name as quickly as possible,” he told reporters after the CPS’ news.
“I have never aimed a racist remark at anyone and count people from all races and creeds among my closest friends.
“I will fight tooth and nail to prove my innocence. I have campaigned against racism and believe there is no place for it in society,” he stated.
The Stamford Bridge club has also vowed to stand by their talisman in the face of the scandal.
“Chelsea Football Club today received notification that the Crown Prosecution Service has charged John Terry with a racially aggravated public order offence,” read a statement from the club.
“John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence. Chelsea FC has always been fully supportive of John in this matter and will continue to be so.
“The club finds all forms of discrimination abhorrent and we are proud of the work we undertake campaigning on this important issue.
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“Chelsea will not be commenting further on the subject while the legal process runs its course,” it concluded.
It’s an important couple of weeks for Roberto Mancini, as he aims to win silverware in the form of the FA Cup and ensure Manchester City qualify for the Champions League next season. Here’s how the Italian is feeling and where he thinks the club will be in five years time…
How important was your time at Leicester City in giving you an insight into English football so that you understood the culture when you came to manage at Manchester City?
I have very good memories from my time at Leicester but it was a very short period of time because I only stayed there for one month. After a month I had to start my career as a manager in Italy. It was a fantastic month for me as I learnt a lot about different cultures and different games and it was fantastic for me.
What are the main differences that you can identify between managing in England and managing in Italy?
In Italy your job is only with the squad and on the pitch every day. In Italy we have a sporting director and a general director who take care of decisions. Here in England the manager has everything under control for everything regarding the team.
What is the best way to manage the expectations that come from managing a top club?
I am very happy to manage here at Manchester City as it is a big challenge. I think we can become a top team in two or three years. We have improved a lot and this for me is a good squad and I am very proud to be here.
Modern football is very much a squad game. How do you manage a dressing room where you have 20 international players who want to play every game?
It is very difficult when I have to choose a first eleven because I understand the feelings that players gave when players are on the bench, it is very difficult. When you have 20 top players it is more difficult because every player is different but this is my job and when a manager chooses, he chooses the best players in the team. It is not easy when you have 20 different players in your team. You can only win if you have good players.
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How important is Carlos Tevez as your captain in delivering your message and your aims on and off the pitch?
Carlos is very important for us because he is a fantastic player. We also have other important players in the dressing room. Having five or six players like Carlos or Yaya this is very important for the team.
It can be a big change for a foreign player when he has to adjust to playing in a new country and new environment. What steps can you take as a manager to help new players?
I think that in other countries it is easy but England it is very difficult for every player because the football in England is different from Italy, Spain and Germany. I think that every foreign player who comes to England needs a minimum two or three months to understand the Barclays Premier League.
Ten years ago you wrote an essay about the Trequartista. Do you think this is a role that David Silva can fulfil for Man City?
Trequartista is an important position in the team. For me David Silva is a fantastic player because his technique is incredible and he understands when is the right time to pass the ball.
What is the idea of the hill you have had built on the training ground?
The hill is important for the players. This year we have not had much time to use the hill because we have been playing every three days, but in pre-season or when we are playing once a week there are some players who like to use the hill.
It is important for any manager to set targets in both the short and long term. What are your aims for Manchester City this year?
This year our target at the start of the season was to finish in the top four and be in the Champions League. I think we deserve to achieve this because we have been at the top most of the season with United and Arsenal, always being between first and fourth position. We now have eight games until the end of the season and we will do everything to be in the Champions League next season.
What are your aims for Manchester City over the next five years?
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It is very difficult to predict, in football the situation can change every five weeks. In my opinion Manchester City will be one of the top clubs in Europe in the next five years.
What would it mean to beat Manchester United in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup to help you achieve your aims?
I don’t know what will happen in the semi-final because it is very difficult to tell over just one game. When you play in such a big game like this against Manchester United anything can happen. We want to go to the final for sure, but of course so do Manchester United.
Is the Barclays Premier League in your opinion the best league in the world?
Yes. In my opinion the Barclays Premier League is the best league in Europe now because during every game the stadium is full. The players in the Premier League are the best in the world because the game is played at such a fast pace and every game is difficult for every team.
Visit the Dugout www.yahoo.co.uk/dugout for new interviews every week with England’s top football managers
During a frustrating game against West Ham on Saturday in which the sides drew 0-0, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp subbed Rafael van der Vaart off after 71 minutes. Van der Vaart then disappeared down the tunnel at White Hart Lane and did not return for the rest of the match.
Redknapp criticised him; “if you are part of a team you should stay to watch the rest of the game”. Van der Vaart explained his actions, saying “I played well, and did not find the substitution necessary. Often I like to play 90 minutes, but at Spurs that hardly ever happens”. So how far out of line was van der Vaart?
With the way that Tottenham set up this year, Redknapp had to make a decision of who to bring off, Defoe or van der Vaart. Tottenham can’t play to their strengths (with two wide men) and have three strikers. Defoe and van der Vaart don’t play well together so one of them had to come off.
I think Harry chose to take off van der Vaart for a few reasons. Firstly, van der Vaart has had niggling injuries, and Harry will want to look after him. But secondly to try and keep Defoe happy.
Redknapp would have been aware of Defoe’s frustration at not featuring at all in the Champions League game against AC Milan. He likes Defoe and will probably do his best to appease him. With this in mind, Redknapp had probably decided before the match that he would give Defoe 90 minutes.
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However, it was the wrong decision to take the Dutchman off and leave Defoe on. Defoe was playing awfully and squandered chances throughout the match. Admittedly, Defoe can score something from nothing, so it doesn’t always matter if he is having a good game or not as he can grab a goal, but van der Vaart is the same. I would have preferred to see van der Vaart stay on the pitch because he offers more to the side. Van der Vaart’s storming off was wrong, but I can understand why he did it.
It seems Defoe’s moaning in the last few weeks kept him on the pitch. Defoe even said earlier in the month that he has considered leaving Tottenham if he does not feature in more games. But Redknapp should be picking the team, not Jermain Defoe. The way I see it, both players are in the wrong, but van der Vaart to a lesser extent because his frustrations are more justified.
Furthermore, Defoe’s head seems to be all over the place at the moment. Last season he was the first choice striker, now he cannot get in the team. On Saturday, he chose to wear a ‘100 goals’ shirt under his Tottenham kit, clearly with the intention of scoring and then ‘proving a point’. For me, even if he had scored, he would not have proved his point. He would only have reaffirmed that he can score against the weaker teams.
It seems, in Defoe and van der Vaart, there are two players that want to play every game but cannot fit in the same team effectively at White Hart Lane. The problem for Harry is that they both think they should be playing, and both have a bit of an attitude. I doubt he will ever keep both of them happy.
In the short term, like van der Vaart said, “[he] won’t be back for 10 days, by then a lot of it will have blown over.” I hope it does, as Tottenham don’t need these distractions.
But, looking towards the summer, Harry might have to axe one of his favourite players for the benefit of Tottenham. I would offload Defoe, because he doesn’t score against the better sides and is a one-dimensional striker. To be the best team, you have to keep your best players happy; Jermain Defoe is no longer one of them.
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Check out Tottenham’s representative in the Top TEN solo goals of all time…
Queens Park Rangers were due to be presented with the Football League Championship trophy at Loftus Road on Saturday following their final match of the season against Leeds. But, following the hearing into the seven violations of FA regulations in relation to the signing of midfielder Alejandro Faurlín in July 2009 and the extension of the original deadline, it seems there could be a change of plans for Saturday afternoon.
The club itself faces five charges, whilst Chairman Gianni Paladini faces a further two; with the results and punishments originally scheduled to be announced on Friday afternoon. But, at this late stage in the season with the Championship already won on the pitch, what would be the best punishment for QPR?
Many seem to think QPR will be deducted points thereby stripping them of the Championship title. They currently sit 5 points clear of second-placed Norwich and 9 points ahead of the playoff positions. When Luton Town were charged for similar offences they were docked 10 points. If the FA were to follow this precedent, as former FA chief Mark Palios claimed they should, then QPR would drop into third place, Norwich would be crowned champions and either Cardiff or Swansea would gain the second automatic promotion place.
But QPR have without doubt been the best team in the League this year and have deserved their success. To be punished retrospectively would, in many people’s eyes, be unfair whilst Norwich’s resultant title would feel undervalued and not recognised as a true victory. Surely this would turn the whole season into a sham?
If the FA is to look for precedent then it will undoubtedly examine the case of Carlos Tevez at West Ham in 2007. Despite scoring some crucial goals that ultimately saved the club from relegation, the Premier League refused to dock points and relegate West Ham and instead fined the club a record £5.5 million. A further £26.5 million was later paid to Sheffield United out of court as compensation for their relegation. Whilst a fine would have the least impact on other clubs and would be easiest for the FA to impose, QPR is, in terms of owners, one of the richest clubs in football and surely would be getting off lightly?
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Others have speculated that perhaps QPR should be faced with a points deduction for next season or even a transfer ban. Whilst these two options would ultimately hamper any hopes of Premier League survival next season, they would have much less impact on other teams and league standings than by punishing QPR for this season.
If the FA were to dock QPR points at this stage and relegate them to the playoffs, at least the team would still have a chance to fight for promotion and carry on their fantastic form on the pitch this season. Admittedly it would tarnish this year’s Championship but at least Rangers would have a chance to redeem themselves and it would definitely make for an exciting playoffs.
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Ultimately the main issue is that action is required fast as the Football League comes to a conclusion this weekend and the playoffs are just around the corner. The Football League have notified potential playoff competitors that the calendar might be subject to change so a points deduction is clearly not out of the question. The transfer itself was nearly two years ago and it has been nearly eight months since it first came to light following the player’s contract extension. Therefore, the FA must act now, particularly if QPR feel their punishment unfair and undertake an appeal process.
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Tottenham attacker Rafael van der Vaart has stated that his side are set to run Manchester City all the way to the end of the season in contention for the Premier League title.
A 2-0 win over Everton on Wednesday night moves Spurs to within three points of Roberto Mancini’s men, with the duo to lock horns at the Etihad Stadium in a fortnight’s time.
The Netherlands international feels that Spurs are constantly improving and must be considered as real title contenders.
“Everybody knows Spurs have a great team and if we can keep playing like this, then we’re also favourites to win the title,” Van der Vaart told The Telegraph.
“We know we’re good and apart from the first two games, we have won almost every week.
“When we played Man City in August, they were too good but in the last few games they have not been as consistent and they lost the other night, too. Maybe it’s a little bit in their heads.
“They have invested so much money, so everyone expects they’re going to win it but we’re still there. Do we believe we can do it? Absolutely. It’s a massive game and we’re really looking forward to it but first we must beat Wolves on Saturday.
“We are much better now than we were at the start of the season, so I’m really looking forward to the games that are coming up.
“City have so many good players that even when they’re not playing well, they can decide a game, whereas we’re more of a team. It’s going to be very interesting.
“We played well there last season but lost 1-0, so we will go there with confidence and there is no reason why we can’t win,” he concluded.
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Hearts can signal their title ambitions when they take on champions Rangers in the Scottish Premier League season-opener on Saturday.The SPL has regularly been a two-horse between Glasgow rivals Rangers and Celtic, with the blue half of the city celebrating last season when Walter Smith’s side won the title.
Rangers, with Ally McCoist now in charge, and Celtic are again expected to be battling it out for the top prize, but Hearts manager Jim Jeffries has made a number of solid inclusions to his squad and looks to have a team capable of testing the top two.
That assertion will be put to the test on Saturday by the defending champions, who have brought in just one player during the off-season despite an injection of cash from new owner Craig Whyte.
Spaniard Juan Manuel Ortiz is the only new face at Ibrox this season, with El-Hadji Diouf, Richard Foster, Vladimir Weiss, and Kyle Bartley all departing.
However, McCoist’s side head into the season in good form following a 2-0 friendly victory over English Championship outfit Blackpool on Tuesday, and Hearts will need to be switched on from the outset if they are to cause an upset.
Elsewhere on the opening day of the season, Aberdeen host St Johnstone while Inverness travel to Hibernian.
Aberdeen boss Craig Brown will be hoping his side can continue to build on the improvements made since he took over in December 2010, and the hosts will be expecting a first-up win against a St Johnstone side which had the worst goal-scoring record in the SPL last season.
Celtic begin their campaign on Sunday with a trip to Edinburgh to face Hibernian.
Last season’s runners up have returned from a successful pre-season tour of Australia and manager Neil Lennon should have new signings Adam Matthews, Kelvin Wilson and Victor Wanyama to call on at the weekend.
Lennon’s side lost the title to Rangers on the final day of the season in May, and will be desperate to snap their rivals’ run of three straight championships.
On Monday, Dundee United kick off their campaign with a home match against Kilmarnock.
Peter Houston’s side finished just two points shy of third-placed Hearts last term, and the inclusion of experienced pair Willo Flood and John Rankin in midfield will have the Tannadice faithful confident they can build on their strong display last term.
Newly promoted Dunfermline host St Mirren in the final game of the round on Monday.