England manager Roy Hodgson has refused to confirm whether or not Rio Ferdinand remains in his future plans.
The Manchester United defender withdrew from the Three Lions’ squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, citing a personal training regime as a major factor in his decision.
However, it has since emerged that the 34-year-old will be travelling to the Middle East to partake in media coverage of England’s fixture against San Marino.
Ferdinand defended his actions, stating that the arrangement will take place during pre-assigned down time, but it has been suggested that his decision has all but ended his chances of winning another international cap.
Hodgson refused to suggest that this was the case, but told Sky Sports he will “wait and see” if the centre-back will be in his future plans.
When asked about his decision to pull out of the squad, the England manager responded:
“The fact is I was disappointed when he couldn’t accept our invitation.
“What he actually does now and how he operates in the coming couple of weeks, that’s his business and his club’s business. I’m only interested in the players I’ve got here. That’s where I prefer to have my focus.”
Hodgson then went on to state that Michael Carrick will not be used as a centre-back in Ferdinand’s absence:
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“I’d be loath to start using someone like Michael Carrick, it would be enormously harsh on the four centre-halves we’ve got here.”
Newcastle United came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday. The result surely secured the hosts’ Premier League status for another season but also means that the Gunners are still searching for their first away point of 2018.
In mid-April, that record for a top-six team is nothing short of a scandal. It has long since been a cliche that Arsene Wenger’s side lack backbone, leadership and a willingness to stand-up and be counted.
Despite some high-profile arrivals, those issues persist and Wenger’s prolonged employment – and this does not justify in any way some of the vitriol aimed his way, which often crosses the line – is at the root of the problems.
That contrasts with Newcastle, where the manager, Rafa Benitez, is really the only aspect of the club that is right.
But, where Benitez is an organiser, someone who has a plan for every game, tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, Wenger does not.
His ‘play our game and we’ll win’ mantra does not work, for two reasons. The first is simply that Arsenal are no longer the best team in the league, capable of outclassing any opponent on any given day.
The second is that the modern Premier League, for all its faults, tends to suss systems out. The attention to scouting, planning and preparing a gameplan to counteract each side’s style has never been higher. A major aspect of Chelsea’s drop-off this season is due to scrutiny on how to deal with a three-man backline.
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On top of that, Arsenal players know that their individual performances will never be scrutinised to the same degree as their manager’s failings. They are by no means the only club where this is the case – Chelsea is another – but it removes a degree of accountability.
After an Arsenal failure, it is always Wenger who takes the stick. That, either consciously (if we’re being cynical) or unconsciously (to be generous) must affect the players’ performances.
Wenger’s removal would ramp up the scrutiny on the Gunners players and force them to prove themselves again. Otherwise, the cycle will continue, with many players underperforming but getting a relatively easy ride while the ire is directed at the manager.
Of course further summer investment is needed. Petr Cech is winding down. Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi were brought in at great expense to fill two problem positions and the jury is still out on both to say the least.
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But the issues run deeper than that. Wenger have to tailor their game to their opposition, especially on the road. Arsenal now have to shake off the psychological problem that comes with having an away day hoodoo.
Their players also have to stop hiding behind their manager and perform at a good enough level to finally get a win on the road.
Having such a poor away record is nothing short of a disgrace for Arsenal.
Both Chelsea’s Diego Costa and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero are 26-years-old, have scored 17 League goals eacg and are considered indispensable by their teams. With both fighting it out to fire their respective clubs to Premier League glory who is the better player?
Since arriving at Manchester City in 2011, Aguero has enjoyed great success and praise for his agility and strength. He won his first Premier League title ten months after joining the club and his 17 goals in the 2013/14 campaign helped City secure their second title in three years. With nine games left of the current season, Aguero’s City are still fighting to make the quarter-finals of the Champion’s League and are pushing Chelsea every step of the way for a consecutive League title.
In West London, Diego Costa is the man Blues fans are relying on to bring them their first Championship since 2010. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho felt his squad lacked enough attacking power in his first season back at Stamford Bridge so he brought Costa in from Atletico Madrid for £32million. The centre-forward had impressed after his 27 goals helped the ambitious Spanish club beat both Barcelona and Real Madrid to the La Liga title last term.
Now, while both have the same amount of League goals and can be described as being quick with a good work ethic, Costa is almost just as famous for his overly aggressive style. The Brazilian likes to play a very physical game, almost bullying the opposition who then worry about being drawn into fouls and giving away free-kicks.
His resilience is not typically a negative attribute to have, especially considering how physical the Premier League is, but now that he is known to have what is considered an ugly side to his game other players do try to provoke a reaction out of him in hopes that he’ll get sent off.
This season alone has seen Costa serve a three match ban for a stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can, not to mention several controversial incidents during Chelsea’s Champion’s League exit to Paris Saint Germain, where many were shocked with his behaviour.
Meanwhile, Aguero continues to quietly work on racking up his goals and assists in both the League and in Europe. Aguero has found the net six times in in his last six outings in Europoe, while Costa will have to wait until next season to register his first Champions League goal for the Blues after they crashed out at the hands of PSG earlier this week.
Fortunately for Mourinho, despite the current English Champion’s sometimes struggling to maintain form, Chelsea have consistently sat top of the table and, at one point, were benefiting from an eight point gap between themselves and their nearest rivals. And although their tempo has slowed since Christmas, Chelsea won the Capital One Cup two weeks ago and are now six points ahead of second placed Man City with a game in hand.
Chelsea look odds on to take the title but, if they do slip up, then Aguero is just the man to punish them as he looks set to add to the 17 he’s already scored this season.
Both players are a huge asset to their respective teams, though Aguero’s Premier League and European accomplishments coupled with his level head give him the edge on Costa. Costa’s hot head will continue to get him into trouble, while Aguero will focus on the task at hand, supporting his team to win matches.
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It is only once Costa leaves his childish ways behind him that he’ll fully get the respect his talent deserves and then it’ll be even harder to separate the two powerhouses.
The conveyor belt of young talent produced by Arsenal football club seems to be everlasting and at a continually high standard. Arsene Wenger’s transfer phobia is well known, with the french gaffer preferring to nurture youngsters and bring them through to the Gunners first team.
The most obvious current example is Jack Wilshere, but Wenger has also brought in the likes of Theo Walcott from other clubs and given them a chance to shine at top level, using the training and coaches resources available to the London club.
It seems almost every season Arsenal have a new youngster on their books who could go on to great things. Well here’s five young and budding Arsenal starlets who are set to have an impact on their club and the Premier League next season.
Click on Francis Coquelin to unveil the 5
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As reported by The Sun, Southampton are one of the teams credited with an interest in Bayer Leverkusen talent Kai Havertz.
What’s the story?
Whether Saints survive relegation from the English Premier League or not, they will likely have to invest in the transfer market this summer.
Teams are spending more and more in the second-tier to gain promotion and the battle for places in the top-flight is fiercer than ever.
One player they are reported to be interested in is teenager Kai Havertz.
That’s according to The Sun, who say that the St Mary’s side are battling with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool for his signature and are ‘watching him closely’.
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Who is he?
Still just 18 years of age, the central midfielder became the Bundesliga club’s youngest ever debutante last season and has gone on to make 56 appearances in all competitions.
With seven goals and 13 assists in that time, he’s certainly making a big impact for a player so young, a sign that he has what it takes to improve even further and shine in the English Premier League.
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Rated at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, it’d take a significant fee to bring him to Southampton but given his potential, it may be wise for the Saints to invest in his future early in his career before he truly blossoms and attracts even more attention from bigger clubs.
With sides like Arsenal and Liverpool already circling, time is ticking.
David Ginola has talked up his love for football and his plans to make the organisation more transparent as he plots to take over from FIFA president Sepp Blatter.The former Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder is set to launch a bid in conjunction with betting firm Paddy Power to take control of the governing body that runs football at the highest level.The campaign is set to be ‘fan backed’ in terms of finances and boasts the bold claim that it will ‘reboot football’ in an era in which Blatter’s control of the sporthas been roundly criticised amid allegations of corruption and out-dated views.With the backing of PP and the advertising around the bids some have suggested that Ginola is merely the face of a publicity stunt, but the 47-year-old confirmed he’s serious and outlined his aims to overhaul organisation should he be successful:“I think the most important thing is I do care about the game. That’s the most important thing.†He said at a press conference about his campaign.“I do believe that I can stand in front of you and say that I can be the next president because I want to share my ideas, my view on the game. I want a fair game.“Three things are very important: transparency, democracy, and equality. That’s the main thing I want to achieve.“The first thing is to get the first associations. That will be the task in the next few days.â€Ginola has until January 29 to prove to FIFA that he has played an active role in football through two of the last five years and that he has the support of five national football associations.Blatter remains the odd-on favourite to keep his post with Jerome Champagne and Ali Bin Al Hussein other candidates.
New Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to make Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia his first signing at the club, according to reports from Sky Sports.
The Argentine has been linked with a number of Premier League sides in recent times, including the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.
But, Pochettino is confident that he can lure his fellow countryman to St Mary’s Stadium, as he looks to add some creativity to his central midfield options.
Biglia is reportedly keen to leave Belgium and has gone on strike in an attempt to force through a January move.
The 26-year-old arrived at Anderlecht in 2006 from Independiente, and is said to feel that he is need of a new challenge.
Pochettino is keen to bring in a few fresh faces before the end of the month as he looks to stamp his personality on the south coast club’s squad.
Although Biglia is believed to be his top target, the Argentine is also looking to bring in Joan Verdu from his former club Espanyol.
The midfielder was a key man under Pochettino during his spell in Spain, and at 29 would likely be available for a reasonable fee.
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He may also look to improve his defensive options, with the club having conceded 40 goals this season.
Sunderland fans are fuming with Chris Coleman after yet another home defeat.
The Black Cats are on track for a historically bad home record this season, and fell to yet another home defeat on Saturday, as Preston North End took all three points from the Stadium of Light.
Chris Coleman was brought in to rescue the season after Simon Grayson was sacked in October, but nothing has changed and the fans have just about had enough.
Preston enjoyed a comfortable afternoon despite the weather, winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Sean Maguire and Callum Robinson.
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Coleman has been criticised for not motivating the players and making necessary changes in the past, and his comments after the defeat aren’t making fans feel any better.
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“I don’t know what to tell you really,” Coleman said after the match, not exactly what you want to hear from the man tasked with saving your club from a nightmare second consecutive relegation.
Sunderland fans have been reacting to Coleman’s comments on Twitter, and some of the best reactions can be found below…
It has been a tough start to life without Luis Suarez at Liverpool so far this season.
The Reds are currently 9th in the Premier League after 15 games with 21 points, and are struggling for consistency. They have won as many league games as they have lost but are only 6 points of a Champions League position. There is certainly plenty of time to turn things around.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has come under a heap of pressure, mainly from the media but also the fans too. Talk on social media about a potential ‘crisis’ seems a little premature, especially considering a win against Basel tonight puts them through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
Last season was a tremendous one for the club, exceeding quite a lot of people’s expectations. They missed out on the League title by just three points, which was perhaps down to the inexperience of the squad in coping with a title challenge.
It wasn’t just Luis Suarez that was an excellent performer; Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerard were just a few among the fantastic showings. But with the Uruguayan gone, the fans need to remember a season like this is unlikely again for the next couple of years.
They played way above themselves for the majority of last season but that is not to say they can’t achieve top four this time round. What also can’t be forgotten is the turnaround from the previous season where they finished 7th. Memories are notoriously short in football but it’s hard not to feel that the amount of stick Rodgers has received is unwarranted and more than a little bit fickle.
But what is obvious is the fact the club haven’t recovered from the loss of Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan hitman scored a mammoth 31 league goals last season which in itself is extremely difficult to replace. Add to that Daniel Sturridge’s injury problems, which have seen him miss most of the season so far, and you’ve taken away both of Liverpool’s leading scorers from last season. The pair managed over 50 Premier League goals together last time out, so the fans need to bear in mind the task Rodgers has on his hands.
It has been a struggle finding suitable replacements upfront.
Mario Balotelli hasn’t looked up to the mark, failing to score a league goal up until this point and only scoring twice in 14 across all competitions. Rickie Lambert has come under unnecessary criticism but everyone has to remember he wasn’t brought in to replace Suarez or anything like that.
Lambert was signed as a back-up striker and has done a good job in the limited starts he has been given. The former Saints forward has scored twice in only 8 starts, and although he cannot be relied upon to score every week, Lambert is a good striker who offers a different option for the manager.
The striking conundrum could all be solved once Sturridge returns in the New Year, providing he hits the ground running again. But with over £100 million spent on players over the summer, it has to be said that the majority of the new signings have been fairly disappointing. One thing to consider however, is most of these signings are still young and should be given time to impress.
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A top four finish this season isn’t out of the question if Liverpool can start becoming more consistent and the Champions League journey could well continue beyond tonight.
It is hard to see much of a crisis at the moment, and the fans and media need to be a bit more patient with Brendan Rodgers. The Liverpool manager was the right man to lead the club forward last season, and a disappointed start this time around shouldn’t be enough to change this.
Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has confessed that he thought his football career had finished during the summer.
The German was released by Wolfsburg at the end of last season, with a series of injuries having limited his first-team chances.
He was still without a club at the start of the campaign, until Toffees boss David Moyes offered him a short-term deal at Goodison Park.
The 30-year-old has gone on to make seven Premier League appearances, resulting in the Merseyside outfit offering him an extension to his contract.
Hitzlsperger confessed that he feared for his career, but is now enjoying his time at Everton:
“When I was out in the summer I thought maybe I’d played my last game already.” He told EvertonTV.
“Now I’m back at a very, very good level in the Premier League, playing for a huge club and it’s so enjoyable.”
He also insisted that he is now fully fit and focused on helping his new team:
“It happens and I think most players go through it. It came unexpectedly to be honest but when it did come it was something I knew I had to deal with.
“I tried to be positive and I was most of the time. Fortunately that period is over now, it’s behind me and I’m just looking forward to the next few weeks and months.
“I think now I’m fully fit, there’s not any problems and I think it’s gone well.”
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Hitzlsperger has a wealth of experience in English football, having started his career with Aston Villa.
He has also played for Chesterfield and West Ham either side of spells with Stuttgart and Lazio.