Arsenal and QPR are the latest teams to be linked with Alessandro Del Piero, according to Talksport.
The 2006 world cup winner is expected to leave Juventus after 19 years and has since been linked with a move to the Premier League.
The player’s brother and agent Stefano would prefer his brother to play abroad rather than stay in Italy and as a result, a number of Premier League clubs have been linked with the Italian international.
“There is no direct contact with any English clubs, but our position is to listen to anyone who might be interested in him and then decide what is best.
“I think it would be very difficult to see him playing in Italy and wearing a shirt other than that of Juventus.”
It has been said that Arsenal are interested in the Italian veteran and will look to gain his services next season, however, they will face tough competition form the likes of Paris Saint Germain.
Del Piero admits he’s in no rush to move but is eager to start a new challenge. His brother said “There are no restrictions from our part. It all depends on what type of project a club has and what is exactly behind the proposal and the kind of football which would attract Alex, but the main interest is the project.”
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.
Del Piero has scored 287 goals in 694 games for Juventus in his illustrious career.
FA general secretary Alex Horne has insisted that the governing body have a plan in place to find the next England manager, and although they have not yet contacted anyone, a replacement will be named in the near future.
Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite for the job, but West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has also emerged as a potential candidate.
Despite there being less than two months until the Three Lions will compete in Euro 2012, Horne has stated that a rushed decision will not be made.
“We haven’t approached anybody and have approached no club,” the executive told BBC Sport.
“We continue to work on it, very quietly. We’re waiting until the tail end of the season. We’re not far away.
“What we’ve done as an FA is clearly set up all our plans.
“We know exactly what we’re doing between now and our first game against France [at Euro 2012], and we just need to slot a manager in, giving that individual enough time to get used to the set-up,” 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.
Euro 2012: 16 teams from every corner of Europe competing for the ultimate prize in Football. Well, after the World Cup of course…and the Champions League…and Domestic Trophies. It seems that after the craziest season ever in English Football, the much maligned European Championships is about as desiring as Alex McLeish and his exciting brand of football. With most International players finishing a 40+ game season, it seems foolish to expect them to be at their best for a tournament that has lost its importance in recent years, especially for England after the disaster of 2008.
Tottenham Hotspur therefore, can be delighted that Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker will miss the tournament through knee and toe injuries respectively. Of course, the omission of Walker from the England Euro 2012 squad will not help in Ukraine, especially with Glen Johnson having no cover at right back but for selfish reasons, Harry Redknapp and the Spurs faithful will be considering the injuries a blessing in disguise.
Firstly, the omission of both Kaboul and Walker from their respective countries squads allows the Spurs defenders to rest up. With the PFA Young Player of the Year playing an impressive 48 games in all competitions this season and Younes Kaboul playing 41, the two will now have the chance to recuperate and gather their energy levels, whilst others play another month of fast-paced competitive football. Younes Kaboul’s injury is a recurrence of a past knee problem. If chosen in his national Squad, the situation with the Frenchman’s injury could be aggravated and become reminiscent of Tottenham’s ‘man with one knee’ Ledley King. By staying at home and working through their injuries, Kaboul and Walker will be raring to go at the start of next season.
The European Championships is a platform for all players to put themselves in the shop window. With the whole of the continent watching, young talents have the chance to show their talents and raise their profiles with some of the bigger European clubs. Tottenham fans are aware of the abilities of Walker and Kaboul, especially this season where both players have stepped out of the shadows and become regulars in North London. If their performances for their countries match their performances during the regular season, then bids from the ‘Elite’ clubs would undoubtedly come flooding in. Spurs can now sit back and relax in the knowledge that two of their brightest stars will not be able to parade their abilities in front of the cameras again this season.
It could be argued that playing in an International tournament can be detrimental to the development of a player. The flak that England’s players received when returning home from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was brutal. Although the tournament was a shambles and we were lucky to even escape our easy group, the players did not deserve the negative press that they received when returning to England. If a similar problem arises in this tournament and England once again fail to deliver, the squad will face a barrage of abuse from fans and media alike. For a young player like Kyle Walker, this negativity would deter him from his confidence and his form for Tottenham would distinguish as a result. Younes Kaboul would also have been in a similar position should he have made the French Squad. Les Blues were the only team in the 2010 World Cup that made England’s campaign look successful. Failure to qualify from their group, followed by divides between ethnicities at their training camps and bust ups between Captain Patrice Evra and Coach Raymond Domenech, made South Africa 2010, France’s worst ever International tournament. Although a change of coach has seen an improvement in the fortunes of the men from across the channel, the expectation of their supporters are as demanding as England’s. Should the squad implode as it did two years ago, Younes Kaboul would return to London downbeat and drained.
Whilst everyone in the country will enjoy watching the European Championships this Summer, Tottenham fans will have the biggest smiles, knowing that two of their form players are recuperating from injury and will return next season with their energy levels at maximum.
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.
The best myths in football are born on the terraces as large groups of fans engage in a fascinating game of ‘Chinese Whispers’. It all begins with a simple and perhaps mildly interesting fact that quickly snowballs and makes every effort to distance itself from all truth and reason. You can’t help but accept the ramblings of your fellow man as genuine facets of knowledge, that is until the day you decide to share this information, when it suddenly dawns upon you that there is very little evidence to back up such a wild claim.
Commentators are the main culprits nowadays, each dipping into their book of folklore at every available opportunity. My personal favourite is the phrase ‘you’re always most vulnerable after you’ve scored’, which seems to be based purely on the fact that on occasion teams have scored directly after one another. It’s a flimsy argument but because it rings true once in a while, people will purposely try to convince you that it’s an unwritten rule in the game.
Click on the January window below to reveal my Top 12 Myths in Football
[divider]
[divider]
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.
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has admitted that he feels Juventus are a great team, and that his long-term ambition is to win the Champions League.
The Netherlands international is set to star for his nation in Euro 2012 this summer, which has taken attention away from his fragile contract situation in north London.
With only 12 months left on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium the Dutch hitman’s future is unclear, with Italian champions Juventus one of a number of teams thought to be interested in signing him.
Van Persie has admitted that Antonio Conte’s men are a great team, but that his focus at the moment is playing for Netherlands in Ukraine and Poland.
“Juve? They are a great team, of course. I agreed not to discuss my future with Arsenal,” he is quoted as saying my The Sun.
“I can only say that my intention is to play in the Euros and then go on to win the Champions League.”
Arsenal are thought to have offered Van Persie a new contract that will make him the highest earner in the club’s history, but it is believed that nothing will occur until the end of Euro 2012.
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.
To have a voice in a governing body as influential as the Premier League, is to have unbeatable control over the state of English football, whether it be financially or culturally. Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League has gained praise for his work in the globalisation of the competition. Agreeing a deal with broadcast companies that allows the English domestic league to be viewed in over 200 countries, Scudamore has contributed to the leagues rapid growth over the past 10 years.However, with recognised praise also comes unwanted criticism. With the Premier League now awash with owners from every corner of the globe, the Chief Executive looking for new ways to further enhance the leagues status on foreign shores, has been met with criticism. Considering the disastrous ownership of clubs from some foreign investors (Man United, Liverpool and Blackburn to name a few) it seems as if Scudamore’s desire to make the Premier League a global phenomenon has impacted clubs and their fans negatively. By holding such a powerful position, surely the Bristol-born executive can speak out and challenge the way that non-British owners run clubs as a business, rather than an institution that has impassioned historical roots entrenched in towns and cities across the country.Richard Scudamore is ready for any argument of this nature to come his way. When Portsmouth suffered the disaster of administration in 2010, the CEO and his “team” created a safeguard to prevent another situation occurring that rivals the financial disasters that befell the south coast club. A strict set of financial guarantees have to be displayed to the PL to show that the respective club is economically healthy. Granted, the idea has proved relatively fruitful considering that no administration worries have fractured a Premier League club since, but some concerning problems still slip through the net, as was uncovered when Man United figures were released this year. A growing debt issue that has seen the clubs coffers diminish thanks to the Glazer family, must have warranted some concern from Scudamore and co. However, the Premier League’s most dominant figure still professes his support for foreign owners stating that they “bring a new level of professionalism to the league”. Professionalism as businessmen maybe but it is just not as simple as that with football in this country. A burning passion for your club whilst gauging fan opinion is an absolute essential way to gain credibility with a club, something that too many foreign owners have failed to achieve.It is probably in Scudamore’s contract that he must continue the growth of our game abroad and it can’t be argued that fans will want the Premier League to continue its marketability around the world. It is when foreign investment disrupts the game on our shores that has to be dealt with. One would expect that being such an advocate of the quality of the Premier League, Scudamore would not turn a blind eye to the failings of some foreign owners.With an absolute rejection of support of foreign investors from the older and more patriotic generation like the unflappable Dave Whelan, it seems that the remaining minority of British owners arguments are falling on deaf ears and that the future of ownership in the Premier League will not only be run as businesses by a cultural smorgasbord of owner but be positively condoned by the governing body of English footballs most prominent league – who seem to overlook the hard-working loyal fan in favour of globalising the Premiership and raking enormous financial profit in the process.[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]
Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has stated that speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland is untrue.
The sprightly attacker had an inconsistent campaign in 2011-12 and suffered from frustrating injuries in a poor season for Villa.
As such an exit from Villa Park has been rumoured, with Sunderland a potential destination.
The Black Cats are in the market for a new forward after sending loan striker Nicklas Bendtner back to Arsenal, and with Martin O’Neill coaching Agbonlahor previously an interest was accredited.
However, Agbonlahor has dismissed a move to Wearside, stating that he is happy to stay at the Midlands club.
“When you’ve played with a manager before, especially one as good as Martin O’Neill, then you are going to be linked with him,” he told The Sun.
“But it’s just pure speculation. I can assure Villa fans I haven’t heard anything about it and I’m happy here.”
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.
New Manchester City signing Jack Rodwell has admitted that the opportunity to move to the Etihad Stadium was too good to turn down.
The England international midfielder has switch to the Premier League champions from Everton, and is set to contest for a place in the centre of the park.
Rodwell has expressed his delight at moving to Roberto Mancini’s men and hopes to make his new team stronger.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” he told The Sun.
“I believe in my ability and that whatever squad I join, I can add to it.
“It might take some time but that’s what I’m there for. I know I’ll have to be patient but I’m young and have time on my side.
“That’s the great thing for me. I’ll learn a lot and hopefully improve my game as well.
“I’m looking forward to working with all my new team-mates, particularly Yaya Toure, who’s a great player.
“I look up to him and he’s a great role model.
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.
“They won the league last year and will want to improve on that by winning the Champions League. It’s so exciting to be part of that,” he concluded.
Once being an established Premier League club, Southampton have just returned to the top flight after a lengthy spell in the lower divisions and their fans will be keen to ensure such a thing does not happen again. Such a tough league to navigate, the club did well to gain promotion from the Championship at all, but now life is really going to get tough in the Premier League.
England’s top division will be harder than ever, with huge amounts of money and top quality teams all scrapping for every point. Southampton will have to win their home games and try to get whatever they can on the road if they even want a chance of staying up this season.
Signing of the Summer –
Left back Nathaniel Clyne takes this coveted title, being the best buy for the club this summer. With pace and more than a little bit of ability this under 21 international will be worth every penny of the £2.15 million he cost the club. A flying start is what Southampton are in dire need of, and this highly rated boy will go a huge way to providing it.
One To Watch –
Much coveted attacking midfielder Adam Lallana is the one to watch this season, with a keen eye for goal and a drive forward that will quite possibly be the difference between the club winning and drawing a game. After being named in the Championship team of the season, Lallana will be looking to carry on his excellent start to life as a footballer and really make waves in the Premier League.
Breakthrough of the Season –
Despite looking like missing the early part of the season with injury, former Chelsea man Jack Cork is certainly at a cross roads in his career in terms of breaking through to become an established Premier League player, not to mention England International. The midfielder was part of the 18 man Olympic squad and will be looking to build on that in terms of his England future, and attempt to break into the first team squad. With Hodgson simply having to look to the future now, Cork has a good a chance of anyone of him being part of just that – providing he shines with his club of course.
What Will They End Up With?
Carling Cup –Much like the other promoted clubs, and indeed a host of other bottom end Premier League ones, all that will matter to Southampton is amassing enough points to stay in the Premier League. Crashing out in the last 32 to lower league opposition is what the Carling Cup has in store for them.
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.
FA Cup – Again, in an ideal world, a run in the FA cup would be amazing but in reality it is survival that will be the focus here, so an early exit after fielding a team of fringe players could well be on the cards, and no one would blame the club for that. The last 32 again for the club.
Premier League – It is one of the hardest things in football to manage to get out of the Championship, yet if possible even harder to stay in the Premier League. Each season there is a surprise package, and said package usually do much better than people expected them to. Whilst most expect Southampton to crash and burn, I am predicting a decent start to the season before falling into the bottom half of the table and relegation fight towards the end of the season, and an escape coupled with a 16th place finish.
James Milner finally got off the mark for England in Friday’s 5-0 victory over Moldova, after 32 caps at senior level. The Telegraph reports.
It is hard to think of a more straightforward England win in recent memory; against a side ranked 141st in the World and one who offered very little resistance on what could have been mistaken as a training ground exercise.
But nevertheless, Hodgson’s men went about the match in a professional manner and did not underestimate their Moldovan counterparts, by playing a high-tempo, passing game from the word go.
Milner was one of those who worked tirelessly on the right wing, doing the simple things well and producing the goods when needed- scoring England’s fourth goal after neat link-up play with Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck on the edge of the penalty area.
“There is no better feeling than scoring goals, but if you play a part in a goal – or ask the boys at the back if they split their head open making a goal-line clearance – that is as good as scoring a goal as well. The best thing is putting on an England shirt and being part of a winning team”, he said.
The Manchester City midfielder has impressed Roy Hodgson with his team ethic and selfless attitude, despite playing out on the wing instead of his favoured position in central midfield.
Milner is not a born winger and does not have the pace which the likes of Walcott or Ashley Young possess to fit into the position seamlessly, but his work rate in tracking back to cover Glen Johnson when he bombs forward is testament to his team ethic.
Milner also revealed his overall sporting prowess growing up in Leeds and used to enjoy cross-country running as well as playing cricket for Yorkshire at County level in his junior days, opening the batting and keeping wicket to the likes of Tim Bresnan.
Yorkshire has a proud sporting tradition, clearly evident at this summer’s Olympics. It is something which Milner is very proud of and he believes there is a sheer determination to succeed in the County
“Maybe it’s something they put in the water or the Yorkshire puddings. I’ve said it to the [England] lads and anyone else who’ll listen: if Yorkshire were a country we’d be well up there in the medal table and I’m very proud of that.”
On this evidence, it may be the magic of the Yorkshire puddings which sends England to Brazil.
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.