Tag Futebol

Manchester United missed the chance to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League over the Christmas period after a shock home defeat to lowly Blackburn Rovers. Just a few days later and the Champions now need a victory away at Newcastle United tonight to move level on points with leaders and rivals Manchester City.

After the disturbing result at Old Trafford against Rovers; in which Sir Alex Ferguson dropped Wayne Rooney and was without a whole host of injured players; midfielder Michael Carrick came in for some criticism from United fans and pundits alike for his role at centre half. One of the most consistent Premier League players over the years, Carrick was playing out of position and under pressure and did not look out of place up against the in-form striker Yakubu.

A product of the successful West Ham youth system, Carrick quickly became one of the Premier League’s best young midfielders at Upton Park before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2004. An impressive spell at White Hart Lane convinced Sir Alex to fork out £18million two years later for Carrick who was bought to replace the departing legend Roy Keane.

It has taken time for the red half of Manchester to take to the North-East born midfielder, but this season he has shown his class in an injury stricken United side. After Paul Scholes retired at the end of last season, Fergie decided not to bring in a replacement as he was confident his current midfielders could step-up. But injuries to Anderson, Tom Cleverly and Darren Gibson along with defenders Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans have given Carrick the chance to play week-in-week-out and earn the praise that he deserves.

The England international is set to make his 250th appearances for United as he returns to his native city tonight in a huge game at the top of the Premier League. It is thought that Carrick could well return to his favoured central midfield position in the live game on SkySports and will no doubt put in a consistent, workman like performance that will not be praised by the likes of Ray Wilkins and Jamie Redknapp.

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The word underrated is often used nowadays with regards to players in the English top flight, and I believe Carrick defines the word. His creativeness is obvious to see and his passing and vision is on the same level as the much missed Scholes. His height and aerial ability meant that Sir Alex was comfortable to play him at the back and as you could see with his brilliant individual goal at Queens Park Rangers this season, his work rate and determination is unquestionable along with a deceiving eye for goal.

Former United defender Gary Pallister has urged United fans to allow Carrick to prove his worth and agrees that the 30-year-old midfielder has been in excellent form this season.

“He is one of the players that if things go wrong the fans berate and put all the blame on but he has been terrific this season,” Pallister told Goal.com, “Michael has really come to the fore, especially during this injury crisis in central midfield and at centre-half. He has had a fantastic season up to this date.”

“His reading of the game is what makes him such an effective player. He understands the game inside-out and he puts himself in very good positions, especially when he is protecting that back four. Plus in terms of range of passing, he is possibly the best player at the club for that, certainly now that Scholesy has left. His long-range passing is great and his ability to keep things ticking along in midfield with short, simple passing is superb. He has loads more experience now as well and he is playing really well.”

A perfect explanation and description from Pallister that is worth taking in and with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere struggling for fitness or form, it is a matter of time until Carrick gets another chance for England and becomes a vital player for both club and country.

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Do you think Carrick is deserving of more praise and a spot in the England midfield? Let me know below or on Twitter: @Brad_Pinard

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Former France defender Lilian Thuram will launch the opening of a new football stadium in El-Bireh, Ramallah, on Thursday.The 1998 World Cup winner has taken time to visit the Qalandia refugee camp in Ramallah, where he met with boys studying at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school.

The 142-time France representative has been invited by the Palestinian Football Association to open the new stadium.

“I think it is very important to come to these places to see the reality and this is the case of Palestine,” Thuram said.

“It is a personal experience and it is a very important visit.”

Thuram said it was important to understand the traditions of the locals, particularly the younger children.

“I found that it is very important to understand the children’s history and their culture,” Thuram said.

“I am originally from Caribbean Islands and my favourite dance is the traditional dance of the Caribbean Islands.”

In 2010, France contributed almost US$10million to the UNRWA.

UNRWA spokesperson Chris Guinness said it was important for the area to benefit from the presence of a French football legend.

Is Lucas Leiva good enough to play for Liverpool Football Club? That’s the question that still divides Reds supporters’ opinions on Merseyside, three years after his move from Brazilian side Gremio. Despite making over 100 appearances for the club and becoming a first-team regular, the jury remains firmly out on Lucas. With Italian side Palermo desperate to land the Liverpool No.21, is it time for the club to cut their losses and let the player move on?

The expectation level placed on the Brazilian international following his £6m move to England in 2007 was enormous. The midfielder was making headlines in his homeland, helping Gremio to the state championship with a series of outstanding displays. Lucas also became the youngest ever player to receive the Bola de Ouro award, as the league’s player of the year in 2006, an award previously won by Kaka, Carlos Tevez and Robinho. When Liverpool managed to fend off reported interest from Inter Milan and Juventus to capture the player’s signature, many supporters felt that former manager Rafael Benitez had pulled off a major transfer coup.

Fast forward to 2010 and the start of Roy Hodgson’s reign at Liverpool and many fans are wondering if Lucas will ever fulfil his world class potential or if he is destined to go down as another mistake by Benitez in the transfer market. The Brazilian enjoyed his best season at the club last term with some much improved performances and is slowly beginning to win over the club’s doubting fans. Lucas is certainly not a bad player; it is more a question of whether he is good enough for Liverpool and is likely to improve. At 19 Lucas was hailed as the future of Brazilian football, but at 23 his lack of progression is worrying.

The weight of expectation seems to have been more of a hindrance than a help to Lucas throughout his Liverpool career. Following a settling in period and 32 appearances in a distinctly average debut season for The Reds, Lucas was expected to shine during the 2008/09 season. Instead Lucas endured a torrid campaign littered with inconsistent performances and glaring mistakes, most notably being sent off in an FA Cup tie against bitter rivals Everton before his side were eliminated.

While some fans are left baffled by his continued inclusion in Liverpool’s starting line-up, Lucas is obviously highly-rated by the managers he has worked with. Lucas has been tipped to star as a central figure in a new look Brazilian national side following their quarter-final elimination at the World Cup to Holland. Lucas was also named as Liverpool’s stand-in club captain during pre-season, a position he also held while playing for Brazil’s U-20s.

Lucas is not a naturally spectacular or extravagant player and sometimes his work can go undetected throughout a game. Lucas does the simple things well, offering both cover defensively with his outstanding work rate and help going forward when necessary. Lucas is often criticised for not being attacking enough and his presence in the team sheet alongside a defensive midfielder is often construed as overtly negative. He has also had to compete against world class midfielder Steven Gerrard, Spain regular Xabi Alonso, Argentina captain Javier Mascherano and £17m signing Alberto Aquilani for a regular run of games at the heart of the Liverpool midfield during his time at the club, a difficult task for any player in the world. To play the amount of games he has in such a competitive area of the team is impressive and his versatility in midfield is definitely a bonus for the squad.

Despite Palermo remaining confident of securing Lucas’ signature, the club’s valuation of the player remain poles apart. The Serie A side had a pitiful £3m bid knocked back last month but aim to return with a £5m offer before the transfer window shuts. Hodgson would also be reluctant to let another midfielder go after defensive lynchpin Mascherano revealed his desire to leave the club this summer. Lucas has been told he remains a key figure in Hodgson’s plans and the midfielder believes he can soften the blow of Mascherano’s departure by taking over Argentine’s defensive duties on a permanent basis this season.

“I know I am able to do that [occupy the Mascherano role] because last season I played a few games when Javier was at right-back,” said Lucas. “I’ve got no problem with doing that job. We all hope Javier stays because he is such a good player but if my chances come I will try and take them.”

Like this blog? Read more articles from the author below-

Why Hodgson deserves better than Fayed cheap shot

Premier League clubs curb summer spending

Liverpool set for challenging season

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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

Chelsea scored three first half goals to comfortably see off Wolves at Stamford Bridge and relieve the pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Consecutive home defeats at the hands of top four rivals Arsenal and Liverpool had put the Portugeuse boss in a precarious position with reports suggestion that owner Roman Abramovich was set to dispense with his services after barely five months in charge. A series of under-par performances had seen the Blues come in for some serious criticism but they roared back into life scoring three goals in the first forty five minutes to secure an important win. Captain John Terry started things off heading home Juan Mata’s corner after seven minutes before the Spaniard set up Daniel Sturridge to make it two just before the half hour. The midfielder then got on the scoresheet himself on the stroke of half time lashing home Ashley Cole’s low cross to complete the scoring and put the smile back on his managers face. Eyes will now be cast over to Mick McCarthy who must be shouldering his fair share of pressure with his side now fourth bottom after losing for the seventh time in nine games. Wanderer’s have won only once in that sequence and look form candidate for relegation after putting in another poor display in West London. McCarthy’s men rarely threatened the home side who strolled to one of their more convincing wins of the season.

A rapid start was needed to lift the Stamford Bridge faithful out of their seats after conceding two late goals in the space of three days against Liverpool last week and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday. Whilst the performance wasn’t vintage Chelsea did enough to secure the win and got off to a flyer when Terry gave his marker the slip before heading home Mata’s corner to break the deadlock after seven minutes. However the hosts failed to build on that lead allowing Wolves to settle into the game and looked like a side severely lacking in confidence. Despite being presented with a chance to get themselves back into the game the visitors failed to really test the Blues defence as their lack of creativity became increasingly evident. The best they could muster was a looping header from Steven Ward that never really looked like testing Petr Cech. The next goal would go onto define the contest and it was Chelsea who grabbed it on 29 minutes with Mata once again the provider crossing for Sturrige to side foot home from close range for his sixth Premier League goal of the season. The Spaniard was by far the home side’s brightest player and he deservedly got his name on the scoresheet converting Cole’s cross with aplomb and giving Chelsea a cushion going into the break.

Wolves responded well after the restart and should have nicked a goal that would have caused the tension levels to rise inside Stamford Bridge. Steven Fletcher had their best chance firing a shot narrowly wide of Cech’s goal as the away side strived to give their travelling support something to celebrate. The Blues were still a threat though and were denied more goals by some tremendous goalkeeping from Wayne Hennessey who pulled off two stunning saves to keep out strikers from Mata and Sturridge. His opposite number in the home goal was equally as impressive thwarting Matt Jarvis and Fletcher as Wolves threatened to nick a consolation. However neither side could convert the opportunities presented to them with Chelsea holding on to secure a precious three points and more important clean sheet. Villas-Boas will face tougher tests over the festive period and his side will need to perform better away at Newcastle next week.

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With Kenny Dalglish expected to take the Liverpool manager’s job permanently in the summer, both he and Director of Football Damien Comolli will be looking to shape a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League. With Comolli stating it will be a “busy summer” in the transfer market, it looks as if Reds owner Fenway Sports Group will be looking to splash some cash. With perhaps 4 or 5 players needed in the summer (two wingers, left back, defensive midfielder and a centre back?), a clearout of deadwood will be needed.

Starting with the strikers, the arrival of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, means there is greater strength up front but I think we can expect Serbian forward Milan Jovanovic to depart this summer. He has been used relatively little by both Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish, and rejected a move to Wolfsburg in January. I anticipate the Serbian to depart just a year after arriving from Standard Liege on a free transfer. The future of David Ngog is a little less certain. Although still young at 22 years of age, Comolli and Dalglish may seek to look for another striker, and with Dirk Kuyt being used more often as a striker, instead of Ngog, under Dalglish, there is a chance of the Frenchman leaving if another striker arrives.

The midfield is certainly the area where most changes will be implemented in the summer. With Christian Poulsen completely failing to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, the Dane will almost certainly be departing in the summer with Udinese his most likely destination. It will leave Lucas Leiva as the only really effective defensive midfielder in the squad, barring Jay Spearing, and I would expect Damien Comolli is already scouting a new holding midfielder. Moussa Sissoko stated to L’Equipe yesterday that he is seeking to leave Toulouse and the Reds have been touted as a possible destination. In regards to Alberto Aquilani, the future is less certain than Poulsen’s and he could very well find himself back at Anfield come the summer.

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In regards to the wings, the failures of Jovanovic, Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole to really perform to their optimum level means all three of their places in the squad are under threat. As mentioned above, Jovanovic is likely to go, but the summer could also see Joe Cole departing. Injuries and a lack of form have hampered the former England international’s first year at Anfield, and the fact that he is not a regular starter in league matches under Dalglish, means there are massive question marks over his future. With ex Reds, and other pundits, calling out for wingers to support Andy Carroll, Comolli and Dalglish will probably be very focused on this area of the pitch, and Maxi Rodriguez maybe the only one to survive as a squad player next season.

At the back, the massive problem for the Reds, over the last couple of years, has been at left back. Paul Konchesky looks set to return to Fulham next summer after not even being given a game by Dalglish before being sent out on loan to Notts Forest. The constant injuries to Fabio Aurelio will also mean that the Reds may look for two full backs in the summer. Emiliano Insua is likely to return from his loan spell at Galatasaray, and could fill one of the two spots if deemed worthy by Dalglish, but I would anticipate the Argentine departing this summer too. The centre of defence may also be addressed with Soto getting on in years and the big Greek maybe a surprise departure in the summer if the Reds can find a suitable younger replacement who can also deputise for the injury prone Daniel Agger.

In goal, everyone hopes Pepe Reina will stay but his future is still up in the air. The deputy goalkeeper Brad Jones may depart though as Dalglish has sent the player out on loan to get first team action while using young keepers as reserves for Reina.

Read more of David’s articles at Live4Liverpool

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In response to the volatility of today’s footballing climate, Sir Alex Ferguson is starting to resemble his Arsenal counterpart due to his reluctance to spend big and a shared ethos on the importance of youth at both their respective clubs.

Sir Alex has been somewhat quiet this transfer window in comparison to previous ones. Ferguson parted with £10 million to bring former Fulham youngster Chris Smalling to Old Trafford and £8 million on Javier Hernandez; a potential bargain following his electric showing for Mexico at this summer’s World Cup.

Similarly, Arsene Wenger has been equally careful, bringing in Moroccan international Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux on a free transfer and defender Laurent Koscielny on an undisclosed free (thought to be around £8.5 million) to replace William Gallas and Phillipe Senderos who have been allowed to leave the club.

While Wenger’s shrewdness in the transfer market is nothing new, Ferguson’s has developed due to a combination of factors. With today’s increasingly inflated transfer market representing little or no value for money, the onus is on developing in-house talent to avoid delving too deep into the rip-off world of expensive summer signings. Although David Gill insists that money is available for a potential big-name signing, the astronomical debt which the Glazer’s have saddled on the club dictates the need for a certain thriftiness in relation to club transfer policy.

Both Ferguson and Wenger are deeply committed to nurturing and developing young players who can ultimately fulfil their potential and feature heavily in their club’s future. Wenger has always been an advocate of the importance of youth academies to the livelihood of a club and the success of the Arsenal academy is testament to his belief. His Arsenal squad boasts young players who have come through the ranks to play for the Gunners on a regular basis. This includes club captain Cesc Fàbregas and Nicklas Bendtner. In addition to academy players, Wenger has bolstered his squad with players whom he has bought at a young age to supplement the talent already coming out of the academy program.

In his long reign as Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson has also been an advocate of giving youth a chance and this season’s crop of talent is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the manager’s dedication to youth development.

New signings Smalling and Hernandez have joined their new teammates on the Red Devil’s pre-season tour of America where Ferguson has been eager to blood some of his young talent. With those players who played at the World Cup receiving a break, the friendlies against Celtic and Kansas City provided an ideal proving ground for Ferguson’s young charges.

In their first game Stateside, United’s youngsters didn’t disappoint as the Red Devils ran out comfortable 3-1 winners against Celtic with Tom Cleverley and Danny Wellbeck amongst the scorers in Toronto.

Despite not scoring, French winger Gabriel Obertan put the misery of an injury-plagued first season at Old Trafford behind him with a promising performance against the Bhoys, crossing for Berbatov to score the opening goal. Obertan capped off an impressive tour so far by bagging the only goal in the 1-0 victory over Philadelphia Union.

The success of Ferguson’s youth system can be seen in the number of youth and reserve team players that now feature heavily in the Manchester United first-team. Recent graduates such as Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson have all featured prominently last season in United’s push for silverware, along with fully-established players like Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes who have also come through the youth set-up at United.

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Despite not being the best of friends, Ferguson and Wenger might have more in common than meets the eye. Alan Hansen famously stated “you’ll never win anything with kids!” Arsenal and Manchester United will be looking to prove him wrong.

Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer

England attacker Theo Walcott has stated that his side’s 1-0 win over Spain on Saturday shows the quality of the nation’s players, and feels it has put a marker down ahead of Euro 2012.

The Three Lions side put in a dogged performance to frustrate the world champions at Wembley, and a Frank Lampard goal in the second half gave the home side victory.

With the likes of John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard all missing, a number of fringe players held their hands up for inclusion in Poland and Ukraine next year, which impressed the Arsenal winger.

“A lot of players who came in all took their chance,” he told The Daily Mail.

“But that’s what we’ve got in this England team. We’ve got so many great players in each position now.

“Tournament football, it’s very important to have 23 very physically fit players and the players that came in did that and everyone’s got to stay on their toes now.

“Our back four was absolutely fantastic – but not just them. Players who came on fitted straight in.  Sometimes, it changes the flow of the game when you make substitutions but everyone took their chance,” he concluded.

England now take on Sweden on Tuesday night, and will look for another positive result to build momentum ahead of the competition next year.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Defender Cristian Chivu has recovered from a calf injury and should play for Inter against league leaders Milan on Saturday.Chivu had been in doubt after injuring his leg during Romania’s training camp ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Bosnia last Friday.

The return of Chivu is good news for Inter boss Leonardo, who will be without suspended centre-back Lucio, while Walter Samuel still isn’t match fit.

Leonardo is expected to play Chivu at centre-back alongside Italy international Andrea Ranocchia.

Meanwhile Inter striker Samuel Eto’o, the Serie A’s leading goalscorer this season with 19, does not expect the match to decide the title race.

Milan are two points clear of their cross-town rivals but Eto’o believes there is plenty of football left in this campaign.

“The derby is a game that can change the course of the championship for just one week,? the striker told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“After the game there will be another seven matches to go and only the last four rounds will decide who wins it.”

“But it all depends on Milan because they are first at the minute. If they win all of their remaining games then they will take the title.”

“They are the favourites, the favourites are always the team who are first.”

Milan will go into the game without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the former Barcelona player is happy with another absentee.

“It?s good that my great friend Pippo Inzaghi isn?t available,” he continued.

“He?s one of the best centre-forwards in the world, one who hurts you when you least expect it.”

The Cameroon international has been in fine form this season where he has averaged 0.78 goals per game across all club competitions.

“I don?t know if this is the best year of my career, but I know that the older you get the more you try to improve on what you did in the previous campaign.”

The sight of Fernando Torres pulling up injured in the World Cup final would have been far more of a concern for Liverpool fans than those cheering the Spanish on. As with the last three seasons he has been at Anfield, he will be an integral part of any success Liverpool hope to achieve, and – assuming they can hold on to him -Roy Hodgson will hope he stays as fit as possible. But while Torres stuttered in South Africa, another Spanish forward has been excelling on the international stage.

Dani Pacheco has been the catalyst of another batch of talented Spaniards, at the under-19 European championships currently being played in France. The diminutive forward has been at Liverpool since 2007 after honing his craft at Barcelona’s La Cantera since he was 12. Although Liverpool have already picked up players in the transfer window – Cole, Shelvey, Wilson and Jovanovic – Hodgson isn’t blessed with an abundance of strikers. When Torres was absent last season Rafa Benitez turned to David N’Gog. Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, both strikers in their native Holland, have been used in wide positions and it remains to be seen – with Babel especially – if they are given a chance down the middle. Pacheco made just four appearances last season, but if Hogdson looks at his new team as a blank canvas, it may be the least experienced of Liverpool’s strikers who catches the new manager’s eye.

Part of the reason that other strikers have found it hard to cement themselves in the Liverpool team has been Rafa Benitez’s preference for a single striker. When playing Torres, with Gerrard just behind, the two have excelled and the team has performed well. For the likes of Robbie Keane, Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch, the lack of opportunities has seen them move on. Pacheco is still only 19 and may be more patient in waiting for his chance. Much will depend on whether Hodgson will buy another striker and what system he decides to play.

As with so many who have come through the ranks at Barcelona, Pacheco is blessed with quick feet, good passing and a clinical finish. With Joe Cole and a more settled Alberto Aquilani, the team will hopefully offer more creativity than last season. Far be it from me to tread over old ground, but Alonso was a loss last season, and already this squad looks a more balanced one than twelve months ago. If Liverpool are to play the type of football that they have been capable of in the past, Pacheco, along with the new signings, could add an extra spark.

The system Hodgson deploys will also play a part in how he can utilise Pacheco. At 5″6″, there is a lack of physical presence so being asked to fill in for Torres up front on his own may be asking too much. But playing alongside him, on either side of a front three, or even as a central midfielder would play to his strengths.

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While he is performing well for Spain at the moment, he is not playing in front of Hodgson every day like the rest of the squad, and the new boss may wait until he has cast his own eye on him properly. I’m not saying his performances will not have gone unnoticed, but I’d hope that the fact that he’s missing part of his club’s pre-season, and that he may not have had a decent rest over the summer, do not go against him when trying to break into the first team.

Clearly Liverpool haven’t been where they want to be over the last couple of years, and if ever there was an opportunity to start afresh and give new players and ideas a chance, this must surely be it. The ongoing frictions between the board and the pitch mean that funds are at a premium for Hodgson and his team. Maybe in Dani Pacheco he has what he needs right under his nose? He has consistently turned in quality performances for the reserves and youth team, and he may now be ready to make the step up.

Welcome ladies and gents to the live blog for tonight’s Carling Cup Fourth Round tie that sees Premier League champions Manchester United make the long and daunting trip down to Hampshire to face League Two minnows Aldershot Town.

Just 48 hours after their derby day humiliation Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will still be licking their wounds after being thrashed 6-1 by noisy neighbours City at Old Trafford. An insipid display from the Red Devils prompted Fergie to deal out some of the famous ‘hairdryer’ treatment to his players in the aftermath of their biggest home defeat since 1955.

It’s been reported that a number of senior players will be dropped by Ferguson tonight after their poor displays on Sunday with the likes of Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick set to feature. There is the worry that the deflated squad may still be shaken and another embarrassing defeat at the hands of Dean Holdsworth’s Aldershot may be too much to handle. United should be confident though in what will be their 100th League Cup tie. They haven’t lost in the fourth round since 2006 when Freddy Eastwood’s delicious free kick gave Southend a memorable 1-0 victory at Roots Hall.

The Shots are the lowest ranked team left in the competition but have lost their last three home games at the Recreation Ground. In fact they’ve lost all three Carling Cup games since being promoted from the Conference in 2008 and haven’t progressed past the third round since 1984. Former Wimbledon striker Holdsworth has done a decent job since taking over in January and will be banking on 10-goal Danny Hylton to inspire his side to a giant-killing of epic proportions. Interestingly this is only the second time the two sides have met and the first since Aldershot Town were formed in 1992. Their last meeting came over 40 years ago when United strolled to a 3-1 win over the Shots in the League Cup. I’m sure they’d be happy with a similar result tonight!

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