Wesley Sneijder could finally join Manchester United this week in a £32 million deal the Mirror reports.
The Dutch midfielder is hoping to thrash out his future in the next 48 hours and also hold formal talks with the Premier League champions.
He hinted that a move could be close after informal talks were held between United and Inter Milan.
Further talks were planned to take place after Holland’s friendly with England but the riots that have gripped the country has shifted the move forward a few steps.
Sneijder will now seek the permission of officials at the San Siro to begin negotiating with the Red Devils over personal terms.
Inter have accepted that they will lose their playmaker and his officials are set to fly into Manchester to start discussing terms on a deal worth £200,000.
His wage could be a problem as he enjoys tax favourable status on a deal worth £250,000.
The pay structure at Old Trafford is set at £180,000 although a number of performance based add-ons would be included in the deal to bring it up to Sneijder’s requirements.
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Should the move go through it would end a transfer saga that has dragged on for the entire summer.
It will also but an end to Sir Alex Ferguson’s search for a midfielder capable of replacing Paul Scholes in midfield.
Chelsea’s narrow, hard fought victory against West Brom last Saturday saw them collect maximum points for the first time this season – but not for the first time, the win came once Fernando Torres had left the field of play. For all of Torres’ apparent sharpness at the start of this new campaign, there still remains a pattern which has followed Chelsea more often than not, since the Spaniard’s expensive arrival at the club – a win trail which seems to follow, whenever Torres has left the pitch.
As of yet, it may not be deemed too alarming a situation for Chelsea, and their fans. After all, a win trail means they are still collecting 3-points when all’s said and done. But it will be very alarming for Fernando Torres, especially as the pattern becomes more and more noticeable. The thing is, the Chelsea number-9 is yet to find his goalscoring boots since arriving in London (leading many to claim he’s forgotten to pack them). And whilst his personal drought continues, he will always be under scrutiny – whether Chelsea win or lose. Unfortunately for the £50 million man, big price-tags bring big expectations and pressure, and this coupled with his poor form straight from the off, led to the immediate and intense scrutiny of his Chelsea career.
It took Torres until his 15th game in Chelsea colours to finally score for his new team, but rather than the flood gates opening as many predicted, he has failed to add to his tally of one goal. Even the much maligned and scrutinised Andy Carroll has scored more goals than Torres since he replaced the Spaniard at Anfield, to many people’s amazement. Most notably, ‘expert’ Paul Merson, who made a (bigger) fool of himself when stating that Liverpool had made a mistake in letting Torres go and replacing him with Carroll and Suarez, as the Spaniard would score more than the pair of them put together during the rest of that season. Don’t stick to your day job Paul…
Pre-season was supposed to bring a fresh start for all at Chelsea and more so to Torres. New manager, new tactics, new team-mates – and a chance to start the new season 100% fit. However the Spaniard continued to misfire during their Asian tour, leading to touchy and tetchy interviews whenever questioned on his form. ‘I have not forgotten how to score – I will score!’ he stated, rather sharply – which only managed to intensify the whole situation.
Even Abramovich must now be wondering if he gave the go-ahead for the massive signing of the correct striker, such has been Sergio Aguero’s (who Chelsea were linked with over a number of years) instant brilliance at Manchester City since joining his new club. The Argentine has scored more goals in 30 minutes of Premier League action, than Torres has in 6-months. The comparisons with Shevchenko – another expensive flop at Chelsea, continue to grow and grow. The situation becomes even more intriguing, the more Chelsea find ways to win once their costly number-9 is substituted – giving new manager Andre Villas-Boas a striking conundrum.
You see Chelsea already have strikers at the club, and whilst they may be deemed past their prime, they are proven goalscorers for the club – and proven winners whilst wearing Blue. Although Chelsea may be trying to usher in a new period – led by Torres, they still find themselves in situations where they have to fall back on the ‘old-guard’ of Drogba and Anelka to win games, such has been Torres’ failings. That’s not to say things will remain the same – Torres has looked visibly sharper in the season’s opening two fixtures, winning the Man of the Match award in the first. But the fact still remains; they drew the opening fixture 0-0 with Torres playing 89 minutes, then against West Brom it wasn’t until they withdrew Torres for Drogba on 58 minutes, that they took the lead and won the game 2-1. It is a worrying, reoccurring pattern which stretches back to last season with Chelsea gaining better results once Torres has left the pitch.
Until Villas-Boas finds a perfect solution and formation for Torres, a player who throughout his career has always performed best individually when playing up-front alone (Atletico, Liverpool and Spain as evidence), or Torres himself finally manages to adapt his game in a way he has never done before, then his career in the ‘Big Smoke’, may go up in smoke.
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he is happy with how his side played against Benfica on Wednesday night, and that a 1-1 draw is a good result.
A Ryan Giggs strike cancelled out Oscar Cardozo’s opener, as the points were shared at the Estadio da Luz, and the Scottish manager felt it was a good game.
“Once we scored, we played well,” he told Sky Sports at full-time.
“Our possession was too cautious in the first half. It was the kind of possession that gives you a certain control but doesn’t win you the game. Benfica had some terrific chances in the last 15 minutes. There was one very good chance, and Anders [Lindegaard] made a great save.”
The Dane played well in winning the point for the Premier League champions, but Fergie confirmed that David de Gea would be reinstated for the crucial domestic fixture against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“David De Gea will play on Sunday. That was the understanding we had before the game, and it doesn’t change.
“I don’t know why you ask these questions, you’re just looking for stupid little things. Anyway…it proves we have two terrific goalkeepers,” he concluded.
United’s next Champions League fixture is at home to FC Basel on September 27, with Romanian side Otelul Galati making up the final team in Group C.
Meanwhile, Benfica boss Jorge Jesus was also happy with the point, but feels that his team had the better of the play.
“We faced a top team, full of quality and experience and we drew. We did well because we were supportive, because we defended well and because we created problems for their defence.
“If there was to be a winner, it was Benfica but a point against United is not bad,” he admitted.
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Heidar Helguson’s penalty was enough to hand QPR their first home win of the season at the expense of London rivals Chelsea who had two players sent off before half time.
The R’s had failed to win in four attempts at Loftus Road and were expecting that run to continue as Andre Villas-Boas’ Blues came to town looking to make it seven wins from eight games and keep pace with both Manchester rivals at the Premier League summit. It wasn’t to be though as Helguson struck from the spot after 10 minutes before Jose Boswinga and Didier Drogba were sent off in a horror first period. The win lifts Neil Warnocks side back into the top-half of the table with 12 points from nine games representing a fantastic return for the newly promoted side. With the Manchester derby proving to be the showcase of the weekend this London derby was pushed into the shadows but emotions still ran high in a heated contest that saw seven yellow cards brandished alongside two reds. Rangers went into the game knowing they hadn’t beaten Chelsea in over 16 years and dominated possession from the moment referee Chris Foy blew his whistle to start the game.
A fiery opening 10 minutes saw QPR put their visitors under pressure at every opportunity with David Luiz struggling to contain Helguson’s movement in and around the 18 yard box. The Blues struggled to get into their usual rhythm and it was no surprise when they fell behind after 10 minutes. Brazilian Luiz was the culprit barging his chief tormentor Helguson over in the penalty area giving Foy no choice but to point to the spot. The Icelandic striker took the ball away from Adel Taarabt and fired the spot kick past Petr Cech for his second goal in consecutive games. It was a lead the hosts throughly deserved and they didn’t rest on their laurels as they bombarded Chelsea with their pace and power proving too hot for the visitors to handle. Their cause wasn’t helped as Boswinga was dismissed on 29 minutes for hauling down former Blues winger Shaun Wright-Phillips who was clean through on goal. Foy instantly flashed a red card in the Portuguese fullback’s direction who will feel hard done by. It got even worse for the away side as Drogba was sent off was sent off five minutes before half time for a wild two-footed lunge on Taarabt.
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Half time couldn’t come quick enough for Chelsea and they came out a different proposition despite being down to nine men. Branislav Ivanovic was thrown on after the restart forcing Paddy Kenny into a smart save with a long range effort after Frank Lampard saw his header deflected wide from close range. That was as good as it got for the Blues until the final minutes and Luke Young should have doubled the Hoops advantage missing two good chances. Firstly he fired wide after being put through by Taarabt before hesitating minutes later after finding himself with the ball in front of goal. Chelsea rallied in search of an equaliser but just couldn’t find a way past Kenny who kept out Nicolas Anelka’s powerful header from a superb Ivanovic delivery. Lampard then deflected Luiz’s overhead kick onto the bar in a frantic final few minutes as QPR held on for a valuable three points.
Roman Pavlyuchenko has admitted he will ask Tottenham to sell him in the January transfer window after becoming fed up of sitting on the bench at White Hart Lane, Sky Sports understands.
The 29-year-old is desperate to leave North London to ensure he has a place in the Russia squad for Euro 2012 and is eyeing up a potential move to big spending Anzhi Makhachkala.
Pavlyuchenko has made just two appearances in the Premier League this season after dropping behind Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe in the pecking order and admits he is worried that staying at Spurs could harm his chances of playing in next years tournament.
He said: “I have to do something in the transfer period. We’re ahead of the European Championship. If I don’t change (my club) then Euro 2012 will be played without me.
“I was fighting and fighting but it was useless. Does Redknapp believe in me? Now I don’t think so. I do the training as good as the others. I do everything with 100 per cent effort.”
Despite being consigned to the sidelines by boss Harry Redknapp the former Spartak Moscow striker claimed he doesn’t moan about his lack of playing time but would be asking for a move in the New Year.
“I don’t cry and I don’t say that everybody is bad but I’m a good footballer. If I score in each game then I can play. But it’s not a reality to score in each game. That’s all.
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“Will I ask the club to sell me in December? Yes, it’s 100 per cent.
“I’d rather go back to Russia. If I sign to Anzhi or not – we shouldn’t go too far. Maybe I’ll have only one possibility and that will be Anzhi and nothing else.”
18 months ago, if someone had asked me my opinion on Theo Walcott, I would have been at the front of the queue to tell anyone who would listen a long list of deficiencies in his game. It pained me to watch him play.
Yet now, having spent the previous 18 months in denial at the player’s improved performances, it finally seems time to admit it – Theo Walcott has developed into a very dangerous football player.
18 months ago I felt justified in my criticisms of Walcott, in the main being that he would consistently run down blind alleys, he had no final ball and above all his touch was far too inconsistent for a Premier League player.
Yet now, it seems that Walcott has improved those aspects of his game no end. In big games he has performed well more often than not, scoring and creating goals as well as seemingly developing a much more sure touch.
Walcott’s improvement was clearly not overnight, it was a gradual one and even a month ago despite the evidence I was still firmly questioning Theo’s role at Arsenal and for England. It was then I realised it was time to say enough is enough and accept his improvement.
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Walcott is far from the finished article, he himself will admit that and it is likely he will always frustrate me, with my natural inclination being towards quietly efficient players. The Frank Lampard’s of this world you may say. Offer me a player who will score half a dozen 30 yarders a year or a player who will score 10 tap ins and I will take the fox in the box every day of the week.
However, the transformation of my opinion on Theo Walcott got me thinking, while not wishing to stereotype, football supporters are a notoriously stubborn breed. In my experience, those who are passionate and talk about football do not express their opinions lightly. Indeed, once an opinion has been expressed you’ll be hard pushed to see a change in that person’s opinion.
‘He’s poor going forward and he’s poor defensively, what is he doing?’, ‘He’s an awful referee’ and ‘Tactically, he doesn’t have a clue’ are just the sort of criticism we hear of players, referees and managers on a weekly basis.
The harsh reality of football is the unforgiving nature of supporters. One mistake is more than enough to wipe out 10 good acts.
A striker who scores week in week out will still be slated for missing a tap in. A referee who performs consistently well all season will have his reputation tarnished for one mistake in a big game. A manager who has shown loyalty in transforming an entire club will be slated following a downturn in his clubs form, for a recent example just look at the recent criticism of Mick McCarthy at Wolves.
Michael Carrick is another player at the top level who springs to mind when considering what some might see as undue criticism. At various points in his time at Manchester United Carrick has faced criticism from journalists and fans alike, with the argument often that he has not regularly contributed significantly to the side, indeed went the whole of last season without scoring.
Yet, in his 5 seasons at Old Trafford the club have won 4 league titles, a Champions League and a league cup. Carrick has played in over 40 games in every one of those seasons. Surely such criticism is unjust? Football is a team game and if Sir Alex Ferguson feels justified in selecting Carrick, with United winning games, surely that must be good enough.
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Football fans will always have opinions, it’s what the game is based on. While some players are idolised, others must face the wrath of the fans, it is natural.
In the same way, football fans are stubborn, although every so often swallowing our pride is something we have to do, if I can with Walcott, anyone can.
Do you agree with my comments on the stubbornness of football fans? Comment and follow me on Twitter @CamHumphries
Sir Alex Ferguson was downbeat this afternoon after United were on the end of a dubious penalty decision at Old Trafford. It was a poor call by Mike Jones and the decision has seen United potentially lose ground on the top of the table.
At FFC this week there’s been plenty of United blogs that include reasons why Fergie won’t sign Sneijder, Glazers influence at Old Trafford, while Pogba should know where his bread is buttered.
We also have a selection of the best United blogs from across the web.
Football is not always predictable, even in the Champions League
10 reasons why United won’t sign Wesley Sneijder
Have they really been that bad for Manchester United?
How do you judge a top player then?
Too good to be on the periphery at Old Trafford
United starlet should accept the grass isn’t always greener
Fergie and Wenger set to be pipped to Dortmund ace
Has the emergence of ‘tiki-taka’ killed off the strike partnership?
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‘Cultural Differences’ Is No Excuse At All – Red Flag Flying High
Euro failure possible but this is nothing like 2005 – United Rant
Documentary: Duncan Edwards – England’s Greatest Player Then Came Munich – The Busby Way
Has He Become The New Ronaldo For United? – The United Religion
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In football, as in life, your face has to fit. Some players can do no wrong, some can do no right. The same applies to managers.
Steve Kean never had a chance at Blackburn considering how quickly a section of fans were on his back. Like Roy Hodgson at Liverpool, some were never going to accept him. They may be right of course, judging by his tactics in the second half of the game against Sunderland, but short of propelling Blackburn into the top six this season, he was always up against it. However, if Blackburn went on a run of six games unbeaten, those protests would soon die down (stranger things have happened). It’s part of the habit of football fans to think that our club deserves better – that our manager does not match the ambition of the club, does not match its size, its stature. Of course usually the manager is as good as the club can get.
Andre Villas-Boas was a condemned man a month ago. The vultures were circling, though mostly in the press rather than in the stands. Now all is rosy. It’s no surprise – patience has disappeared from the game, and fickleness has taken its place. And then there’s Owen Coyle. Proof that the fickleness of fans can be influenced by the media – Coyle was seen as the antithesis of the deeply unpopular Gary Megson. This bright new hope was intent on marrying attractive football with winning football. What a breath of fresh air – and early results proved this.
Yet Megson took over Bolton when they were bottom of the Premier League table with only 5 points from 10 games. However there were fans who never took to his perceived dour style of football. The shadow of Allardyce hung over him – unattractive football, but football that brought results. Nevertheless, that season they reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup for the first time in the club’s history. They also stayed up – hardly a cause for celebration, but mission accomplished surely? Bolton finished 13th in the 2008/2009 season, but poor form the following season saw Megson dismissed in December – though Coyle’s start to this season was the worse for Bolton in over 100 years.
But while a week is a long time in politics, a year in football can seem like a lifetime. Seventh at the end of 2010, we enter the end weeks of 2011 with Bolton bottom of the Premier League. Bolton have won just 8 of their last 33 games this year. Their form has plummeted, along with Coyle’s reputation. Coyle has been hit by injuries of course, but that’s part of the game. I haven’t watched every Bolton match, but as someone who will watch any football at all, I’ve seen enough. And like when City won at the Reebok, earlier this season, I saw little different from the Megson days. The ball was still being bumped up to Kevin Davies for him to fall dramatically to the floor as if he had been punched. Bolton showed great spirit, but then I have always associated them with that. Did it drain away under Megson?
When managers like Megson put out reserve teams in Europe to rest a team for a “vital” league game which they then proceed to lose anyway, they don’t help their cause. But Allardyce has done it regularly as manager too, so Megson is hardly alone. But the fans just couldn’t warm to his style of football. The odd break here or there though and they’d have put up with it easier. A few soundbites, some passionate press conferences and a few fights with opposition managers, and he’d have been more popular.
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Some are luckier. As Fulham manager, Martin Jol has played 29 games, winning 10 drawing 9 and losing 10 – and that includes some less than illustrious opponents in the Europa League. Yet Jol is one of those managers that will never get the vitriol of others. His face fits as the genial, astute, knowledgeable manager. Over at Wigan, Martinez seems to fit the same profile too – you’d struggle to envisage the fans turning on him, even if the club were relegated. I’ve heard plenty of Tottenham fans blast Harry Redknapp over the last year or so for his management skills – they have gone quiet recently. Plenty of Manchester City fans would never accept Mark Hughes because he played for “them”. Aston Villa fans revolted at the possible recruitment of Steve MacLaren, and got Alex McLeish instead. Out of the frying pan…..
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Roberto Mancini has been a great case in point. In his early days he was no better than his predecessor to many, their key tool in pointing this out being the comparison of points per game, the two figures being almost identical. There was no time to assess his merits over a long period, to see how he shaped the team and club. No, he had trillions to spend, so we can all judge now. Any defeat led to calls by a minority for his head, in the same way that any player was utterly useless and a waste of money if god forbid one week they didn’t put in a man of the match performance. But when a manager delivers a club’s first trophy in 35 years and first qualification for the Champions League, these people tend to pipe down. I wrote a blog in the summer asking how much power fans should have? We are the lifeblood of the game after all, the soul of the club (if such a thing were to exist, which it doesn’t), but we are also incapable of sensible, rational thoughts much of the time. Knee-jerk reactions are our forte. Always have been, always will be. As one person commented below the blog:
“Far too many supporters are overdosing on football manager games and thinkthey have an idea about running a football club.”
But more to the point it’s not just results that decide how fans judge a manager. It’s their perception of the man, irrelevant of the cold, hard facts. Their past, how they come across in front of a camera, whether they say the right things, how glamorous their appointment was. That’s not to say the likes of Coyle or Martinez or Jol are getting it too easy -Coyle should (and probably will) be given time to save Bolton’s season – it’s just a shame the same courtesy wasn’t extended to others. You’d think that fans would judge managers on results – but sometimes that’s barely half the story.
Liverpool missed the chance to leapfrog Arsenal into fifth after being held to their seventh draw of the season at Anfield against Stoke.
Kenny Dalglish’s side dominated a majority of the game squandering a series of chances with Dirk Kuyt missing their best opportunity nodding wide from eight yards out. Martin Skrtel also headed over with the Potters’ best chance falling to Matthew Etherington who shot straight at Pepe Reina as they held on to claim a point. Tony Pulis’ men had failed to win in the red half of Merseyside on their previous 48 visits but became the seventh team to hold Liverpool at Anfield this season. The hosts enjoyed a lions share of possession but with Luis Suarez suspended they lacked a cutting edge in the final third with Kuyt and substitutes Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy failing to breach a stubborn Stoke back four.
Captain Steven Gerrard started his second game of the week after scoring the winning goal in Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi final first leg tie against Manchester City and tried his luck from distance but failed to fully test Thomas Sorensen. Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson also saw efforts fly wide with strikes from range as the visitors sat back and soaked up the pressure during a first half lacking in any sort of excitement. The game started to pick up after the break and Glen Johnson went close to breaking the deadlock dragging a shot just wide as Sorensen’s quiet afternoon continued.
Referee Howard Webb then turned flurry of penalty appeals following the introduction of Andy Carroll who’s physical presence unsettled the Potters’ rearguard. The ponytailed striker was up in arms after seeing his calls for a spot kick was waved away by Webb following tussle with Robert Huth. Carroll then felt he was fouled by Ryan Shawcross in the area before Kuyt had a similar claim waved away after a run in with Jonathan Woodgate. However the Dutch striker should have won the game but could only head wide after meeting Jose Enrique’s deflected cross before Skrtel saw his header clip the bar. Charlie Adam then tried his luck from inside his own half as Stoke held on to take a well earned point back to the Britannia Stadium.
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Survival Sunday is a football fan’s sadistic pleasure. “Look at all those struggling to avoid relegation and oh look, is that a fan crying? What joy!”
That’s the viewpoint of course, if your team is not involved, otherwise there’s no pleasure at all. Embarrassment is just one fear –the prospect of going into work the next day in the knowledge that if your side is relegated, you’ll be hearing about it for a good while yet.
Going into Sunday 24th May in 2009, Newcastle and Sunderland fans feared the worst but also hoped for the worst; for their rivals that is. Whilst the Tyne-Wear duo lost on the final day, it was Newcastle who ultimately perished along with West Bromwich Albion and another side from the North East, Middlesbrough.
Despite the Mackems glee at the demise of their neighbours, it marked a 21st Century low for football in the North East. It’s an area with some of the most passionate fans the country has to offer, many saying they deserved better in the aftermath.
That’s what they are getting nearly three years on, but it hasn’t been without trial or tribulation. Both are on their second manager since 2009’s edition of Survival Sunday but Mike Ashley and Ellis Short appear to have found ones who acquiesce with their ideas.
Chris Hughton and Steve Bruce were unfortunate to be sacked but many haven’t dwelt on this, such has been the achievements of their successors. For instance, Alan Pardew has managed to build a very strong side in the space of three transfer windows.
Talented ball players such as Yohan Cabaye have signed. Pardew hasn’t ignored his side’s defensive responsibilities either by bringing in Cheik Tiote, an excellent ball-winning midfielder and Davide Santon, a fullback who’ll grow in stature the more he plays.
Then there’s Demba Ba the most astute acquisition of them all. Two elements have been free to the Senegalese forward – his price tag and his scoring. It will be intriguing to see what further impact Papiss Demba Cissé has after such a good first impression with a fantastic strike on debut. They deservedly sit 5th in the Premier League but just three places below are Sunderland.
This was improbable before the arrival of Martin O’Neill who helped to relegate Newcastle on the final day just under three years ago. With only one transfer window under his belt, he appears happy enough with this squad for now, adding loanees Wayne Bridge and Sotirios Kyrgiakos on Transfer Deadline Day. Then again, why wouldn’t he be satisfied? Sunderland are the in-form Premier League team.
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He has brought the best out of attacking midfielder Stéphane Sessegnon who has played the role of goal scorer and creator brilliantly. O’Neill also managed to unearth a gem originally bought by Steve Bruce in James McClean. Their defensive effort shouldn’t be ignored either as despite some recent injury problems, they have the division’s third best defence.
Hughton and Bruce deserve some credit for restarting the building process. The latter wasn’t short of funds at Sunderland. Consider though how wasteful with money some teams have been, such as Liverpool and he deserves praise for assembling the current squad. However, Hughton’s task of regrouping and leading Newcastle’s eventual procession back into the Premier League was arguably more impressive.
The form of the two North East rivals should help to make both sides stronger and intensify the already fierce rivalry between the clubs, if they continue to push each other as it appears currently.
To take the next step, Pardew and O’Neill must hold on to key assets in the summer. They must look to Spurs for inspiration and the way they didn’t sell Luka Modric in the summer. Granted, neither side has a player quite in the same class as the Croatian but if they sell their best players, they risk going backwards. Previously, the North London side have sold the players such as Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov, weakening themselves in the process and strengthening those above them. If you want to be competing in the higher echelons of the table, then an appropriate mentality needs to be taken.
This weekend, Newcastle will have a chance to have a closer look at Tottenham at White Hart Lane while Sunderland entertain Arsenal. It’s a mark of how far the sides have come that neither team will be overwhelming underdogs in either fixture.
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Neither team will be participating in Survival Sunday in 2012 as much as both sets of fans would love to revel in the other’s demise. That might come on March 4th when Sunderland visit Newcastle. As the game draws ever closer, the more exciting a spectacle it becomes. Such is the performance of both; perhaps it should be labelled Salubrious Sunday.
Who do you think will come out on top this season between Newcastle and Sunderland? Tweet me @arhindtutt or comment below…