Tottenham Hotspur number one Brad Friedal took to Twitter to share his anger at comments made by former Manchester United and France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in regards to Hugo Lloris’ situation at White Hart Lane.
Lloris, who impressed on his Spurs debut in midweek, has been told that Friedel is still the number one choice between the sticks by manager Andre Villas-Boas but Barthez felt that was wrong.
“Lloris is one of the five best goalkeepers in the world.” Barthez had said last week.
“He is faster than Friedel, he jumps higher, and he is very strong mentally. What is happening now is incomprehensible, but I am not concerned. He will become the centre-piece for the club.
“Hugo is a calm guy, a good worker. Tottenham will not let him stay on the bench for a long time.”
But Friedel has acted angrily to the comments and felt they were ‘ignorant and disrespectful’.
“Just saw barthez comments. I normally don’t comment on such crap but when disrespected by someone I don’t respect I must.” Friedel wrote on his personal Twitter account (@friedel_b).
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.
“Barthez was ignorant, disrespectful and out of order to mention my name.”
Liverpool surpassed all expectations when they challenged for the Premier League title last season, coming just two points short of winning their first league trophy in 24 years.
However to overthrow the powerhouses from Manchester and London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea again, Brendan Rodgers cannot and will not rest on his laurels.
And what better way to scout talent than to enjoy the ‘Biggest show on Earth’, the FIFA World Cup.
Group F, in which Argentina battled it out with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran to progress into the next round (along with Algeria) is full of talent, but who is worthy of Liverpool’s attention?
Here we take a look at SIX World Cup Stars Liverpool should sign from Group F.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON EDIN DZEKO TO SEE THE FULL LIST!
[/ffc-gallery]
Javier Mascherano
Age: 30
Club: Barcelona
Position: CB, CDM, CM
Nationality: Argentina
Estimated Value: £14million
With Liverpool’s attack one of the best in the league, Brendan Rodgers will look to shore up the defensive aspect of the squad and could resign Argentine defensive-midfielder Javier Mascherano.
The 30-year-old already played for the Reds from 2007-2010, impressing enough to be purchased by Barcelona for £19million. Now deemed surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp, Liverpool should make an offer to bring back the former Liverpool man.
Edin Dzeko
Age: 28
Club: Manchester City
Position: FW
Nationality: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Estimated Value: £18million
Although Edin Dzeko has been a regular goal-scorer for Manchester City, the Bosnian isn’t as valued to the club as the other strikers. And with only one year remaining on his current contract, Liverpool would do well to sign the former Wolfsburg star.
Luis Suarez – especially with the new biting incident – is looking likely to leave the club and Dzeko would be an adequate replacement. In all competitions Dzeko scored 26 goals and provided 16 assists last season… numbers that prove he can score especially with the service he will be receiving from the Liverpool midfield.
Fernando Gago
Age: 28
Club: Boca Juniors
Position: CDM
Nationality: Argentina
Estimated Value: £4million
Another option for a defensive midfielder partner to play alongside Steven Gerrard is former Real Madrid star Fernando Gago. Touted once to become a great, Gago hasn’t developed to be an absolute world beater but is nonetheless a solid player in the middle of the park.
His impressive skillset includes tackling and composure on the ball, with a keen reading of the game to intercept attacking passes. The Argentine is a definite improvement to the injury-prone Lucas and could be snapped up for around £4million.
Miralem Pjanic
Age: 24
Club: AS Roma
Position: CM
Nationality: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Estimated Value: £18million
Miralem Pjanic has always been regarded as one for the future, but last season with Roma has seen the Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder become one of the league’s best. Brendan Rodgers will know well that Steven Gerrard isn’t getting any younger, and Pjanic would be a perfect understudy.
The former Lyon man scored six goals and provided another six last season, but this one is just pure class.
//www.youtube.com/embed/LBJpCDwQexY
Ogenyi Onazi
Age: 23
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.
Club: Lazio
Position: CM
Nationality: Nigeria
Estimated Value: £6million
Liverpool have been tracking young midfielder Ogenyu Onazi for some time and after a very successful season at Lazio, could now finally make a move for the highly-rated youngster.
Onazi is an adept player in the mould of Javier Mascherano, possessing an eye for the interception as well as getting in a crucial challenge. He is the perfect foil for a more attacking central midfielder and would work well with Steven Gerrard or his future understudy.
Ashkan Dejagah
Age: 27
Club: Fulham
Position: RM
Nationality: Iran
Estimated Value: £3million
Don’t let Dejagah’s choice to play for Asian side Iran fool you, the Fulham man has played for Germany in all Youth levels and impressed while doing so. The right winger is quick and good on the ball, but more importantly tracks back well, contributing to the team’s defence.
With Fulham relegated, Liverpool should swoop in to add some depth as they challenge in the Champions League next season. Dejagah played a pivotal role when he helped Wolfsburg win the Bundesliga back in 2008 (same team as Dzeko), and is by no means new to a challenge.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas could be made to dip into the January transfer market after Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo about-face, leaving Spurs with one out-and-out striker till mid-February.
Adebayor has decided to fulfil his international duties with Togo and will now attend the African Cup of Nations in South Africa, missing up to six games for the North London club.
The player initially voiced his concerns over team security and unpaid bonuses. His fears for team security during the competition comes after being greatly affected by the team bus attack on 8 January 2010, leaving three dead and nine injured. It was also reported that Adebayor and his teammates had recently seen bonuses, which were owed to them for international duty, unpaid.
Coincidentally, news of Adebayor’s change of heart comes on the anniversary of the gun attack that occurred in the Cabinda Province, Angola.
After speaking with the country’s President – Faure Gnassingbe – the player has changed his mind.
Head of the Togo Football Federation Ameyi Gabriel said that “Of course we’re in the Africa Nations Cup with Adebayor, we will be together in South Africa.”
“It is very important to have him there because he is our player and captain of the team,” continued Gabriel.
Although the player looks set to miss six games, Spurs are counting on his availability for their Premier League game against QPR on Saturday 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.
Meanwhile, Spurs have yet again been linked with a move for Brazil international and Internacional forward Leandro Damiao.
Mark Hughes has been sacked as manager of QPR after a winless start to the season has left the club rock bottom of the Premier League.
Hughes, who has been in charge of Rangers for ten months helped the club to Premier League safety last season, but has left the club in an ominous position this season despite spending over £21million on new signings in the summer.
QPR’s last games against fellow strugglers was dubbed ‘El Sackico’ and the 3-1 defeat has proved the fate for the Welshman.
A statement from the club said “Queens Park Rangers as of today have terminated the contract of Mark Hughes with immediate effect.”
“Mark has shown integrity and professionalism during his time at the club, but ultimately the circumstances we find ourselves in have left the board with very little choice but to make a change.”
QPR travel to Hughes’ former club Manchester United tomorrow, with Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki will take control of the side.
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.
Rangers are the only club in all four division to yet win a game this season as they sit five points adrift of safety on just four points from the opening 12 games.
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has been made favourite to take over from the outgoing Hughes.
Gabriel Agbonlahor does not expect to be the next high-profile departure from the Aston Villa squad.
The striker has seen the talents of James Milner, Ashley Young, Gareth Barry and Stewart Downing leave Villa Park since making his first-team debut aged 19 six-and-a-half years ago. Agbonlahor is now one of the longest-serving players in Paul Lambert’s squad, and he is adamant that his affinity for the club he has served through the junior ranks into the senior set-up is as strong as ever. He told Sky Sports:
“You can never say never, but as long as the club want me here – I’ve got two years and an option for another year – then I will stay. If the club wants to keep me and I’m happy, I will stay at the club for the rest of my career. You can say I haven’t had a move, I haven’t had this or that, but I’m happy to be at Aston Villa. If those players (Milner, Young, Barry, Downing) had been home-grown players, you never know what their choice would have been. For me even if a big club had come in for me, they would have known that I wanted to stay here. It’s different for me.”
owner Tony Fernandes has assured that Mark Hughes’ job is safe.
The Loftus Road club are sitting on the bottom of the Premier League table currently, having not won a fixture to date and picking up only two points from their first seven games.
The Welsh trainer’s position is under jeopardy in the press given the amount of money that Rangers parted with in the recent transfer window.
However, Fernandes has stated that he has confidence in Hughes’ abilities as manager and will not be sacking the coach.
“If the team was playing badly, if the dressing room was dispirited then you would have to say something’s not right, but the team is playing well,” Fernandes told Sky Sports.
“We have given away goals and we have critical injuries in critical places.
“Unfortunately or fortunately we are a higher profile club, we are five points away from being in the middle and you don’t see the other clubs getting the kind of pressure we’re getting but that comes with the territory.
“So no panic. Mark’s done it in Fulham, he’s done it in Blackburn and I have got to say even at Man City the core championship side were players Mark brought in.
“So he has my full confidence and I hope I am proven right in a big way that I can answer all these critics and armchair critics,” he concluded.
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.
QPR lost their last game 3-2 to West Brom, but have the chance to get their first victory of the campaign when they host Everton at Loftus Road on Sunday.
Remedying United’s current defensive pitfalls is proving incredibly problematic for Sir Alex Ferguson as he approaches, what is being billed as, the seasons early title decider. Last week’s victory against the Potters at Old Trafford once again highlighted the Red Devils’ frailties at the back as did the narrow Champions League win in midweek. Annoyingly for Ferguson there isn’t much he can do treat the situation with Rio Ferdinand and Johnny Evans, both of whom have endured mixed campaigns, his only two fit centre backs. And the last thing he would want is to come up against a free scoring Blues side, who could to start pull away at the top should they win having already built up a four point advantage over United. Ferguson knows it is still early days in the title race but is also aware of the negative effect a defeat against one of their main rivals could have on his players as they struggle to find their form.
This week on FFC should United think about the financial benefits of selling Nani and could Ferguson be about to raid Germany for a second time?
[divider]
Best of FFC
Wag Weekly – Shinji Kagawa’s Mrs.
Wayne Rooney’s performance tells us all we need to know
Should Manchester United really consider cashing in?
How many times can Manchester United do this?
Time for Fergie to remedy this transfer mistake?
How long can Sir Alex Ferguson turn a blind eye to it?
Is this United ace a victim of bloated expectation?
Why the rest of the Premier League could learn from Tottenham and Manchester United
The man to get the best out of him at Old Trafford?
Fergie considers £20m raid on Dortmund to bolster options
Madrid set to offer unsettled United ace a route home
[divider]
Best of WEB
[divider]
Time To Move On At Stamford Bridge – Red Flag Flying High
The Greenhoff Column : Concentrate – 7Cantonas
Five Things We Learned – Manchester United vs. Braga – Red Flag Flying High
Ferguson on the defensive over errors – United Rant
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 Timely Reminder From This United Star – The Busby Way
[divider]
Quote of the Week
[divider]
“With the players we have I don’t expect to start every game. I am just trying to pick up games wherever I can and influence them like I have done in the past. I haven’t found it difficult. I want to play and I want to be in the team. But I am experienced enough to know that come the business end of the season, the experienced lads will be needed and I will be ready.” Ryan Giggs says he is happy to wait for his chance at Manchester United
Ambitious Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg have made a £25 million bid for Manchester United winger Nani, according to The Daily Mail.
The Portugal international is out of favour with Sir Alex Ferguson, and his future is unclear as negotiations over a new contract have broken down with the Old Trafford club.
With added competition for places in the Red Devils’ squad Nani has been linked with a move elsewhere, with Juventus known admirers of the tricky wideman.
However, Zenit are eager to wrap-up a deal for the player before the close of the transfer window and have tested United’s resolve with a large bid.
The player’s representatives are said to have met with the eastern European powerhouses in Amsterdam on Monday, with a move now dependent on whether Sir Alex Ferguson wants to cash in on the star.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has once again moved to dismiss talk of a Premier League title challenge by insisting that the club’s focus is on Champions League qualification.
The Reds put themselves firmly in the mix with a thumping 5-1 win against Arsenal, who had topped the table going into the sides’ Saturday clash.
With the result and the manner of the performance at Anfield, many pundits have been putting the Merseysiders alongside the Gunners, Manchester City and Chelsea as challengers for the league title.
But Rodgers – whose side are now three points clear of Tottenham in fifth and have a +33 goal difference – claims that the focus is on staying in the top four and bringing the highest level of European football back to the club and the city:
“I really only focus on the team and the football club, and make no mistake – I want to get into the Champions League for the people here at the club and the people of the city,” he told Sky Sports.
“I came here to try and inspire the city as much as the team. I know what Champions League football can bring to a city like Liverpool and everything it can generate.
“I keep the focus on improving the players, improving our performance levels, and you can see from the continuation of the development we’ve made over the last 18 months that we’re going to be a match.
“The momentum has been building and building, but I just think it would be unprecedented to go from being where we were last year in seventh position to first.
“We’ve got so many young players, who are still growing and developing and our squad is small. So I feel that we’ve still got work to do.
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.
“But when we play like that and perform like that (on Saturday), people are obviously going to ask the question (can you win the league?).
“We’re five points behind Arsenal, four behind Manchester City and six behind Chelsea and we still have them to play here at Anfield.
“But the main objective is just to finish as high as we possibly can and let’s see where that takes us.”
Manchester United have finally been told that Arturo Vidal is not available to them this summer, after chasing the Chilean for much of the transfer window.
It’s another disappointment for the club, who have felt the sting of rejection multiple times over the past year. The protracted, fruitless chase of Vidal should be seen as nothing other than further embarrassment to the club, who failed to realise that the midfielder was not going to leave Juventus at this late stage of the window.
But even after the signing of Angel Di Maria earlier in the week, United are still desperately short of quality, both in central midfield and at centre-back.
With Vidal now firmly out of the picture, here’s a look at five alternatives for Man United to consider…
[ffc-gallery]Click on Blind to start the gallery
[/ffc-gallery]
Daley Blind
Daley Blind may have made his name as a full-back, but the Dutch international is just as good in central midfield, where he often played for Ajax last season.
It was widely expected that Blind would be part of the new arrivals at Old Trafford this summer, but a move has yet to take place.
The Dutch international, who is known well by Louis van Gaal, would be a great buy and the perfect complement to Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria in the midfield.
Sami Khedira
Real Madrid should be desperate to sell Sami Khedira in these final days of the transfer window, with the German international looking unlikely to extend his contract in the Spanish capital.
Manchester United have surprisingly not been linked with the midfielder, even though he’s exactly what they need. His all-action style would be an excellent fit in Louis van Gaal’s system, while his defensive work would allow Ander Herrera to thrive.
A former teammate of Angel Di Maria, Khedira would go a long way to helping United improve their fortunes on the pitch.
William Carvalho
Sporting are said to be willing to move on their initial price tag on William Carvalho, who has been attracting plenty of interest from English football.
The midfielder is one of Portugal’s most exciting talents and looks destined for a move to the Premier League in the near future. Considering United’s links with Portuguese football, it’s a surprise they have not made a serious offer for the Sporting midfielder.
There is a big price on Carvalho’s head, even with Sporting will to negotiate. But over time, he will prove to be the perfect addition to the midfield at Old Trafford.
Gokhan Inler
In recent years, the only major interest in Gokhan Inler to come out of England has been from Arsenal, who passed up the opportunity to sign the midfielder while he was at Udinese.
Now at Napoli and thriving, the Swiss international has been one of Europe’s most consistent holding midfielders over the past few seasons.
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 the no-nonsense, tough-tackling leader United are lacking in the middle of the pitch, and would represent a very good alternative to Arturo Vidal.
Alex Song
They don’t get much more underwhelming than Alex Song, especially when names like Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba have been mentioned in the past.
It’s telling that so few clubs have registered any interest in the Barcelona midfielder. Evidently his ties to the Catalan club and his history at Arsenal have done nothing to convince potential suitors.
But what it all comes down to is that Song is a player who performs the defensive midfield role; how well he does that is another matter. He’s available and willing to move back to English football.
Try and look at it from this point of view: Song would be better than nothing.