Not a great deal to report this Friday as the media focus appears to have turned back to transfer gossip and speculation, with Liverpool appearing to be at the centre of it. Elsewhere the post mortem has started into Ray Wilkins shock dismissal at Chelsea; Harry Redknapp questions Van der Vaart’s fitness, while Peter Schmeichel has felt the need to pass judgment on Manchester City and how they spend their money.
Cook flies transfer wishlist to Abu Dhabi – Guardian
Chelsea sever ties with ‘blue-blood’ Wilkins – Daily Telegraph
No muppet tells me what to do – Sun
Solskjaer: I want to be United manager one day – Daily Telegraph
Schmeichel warns Man City scattergun spending will only buy problems – Daily Mail
Harry fires fitness warning to out of shape Van der Vaart – Mirror
Russian striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov admits Liverpool approach – IM Scouting
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Arsenal interested in Bolton’s Cahill – Guardian
Parker: We must end this mess – Sun
Liverpool draw up list of Reina replacements – Daily Telegraph
It’s safe to say that Joe Cole hasn’t enjoyed the best of times since moving to Liverpool from Chelsea on a free transfer. The former West Ham prodigy was ignominiously dismissed on his Premier League debut, and injury and loss of form have continued to hamper his fledging Anfield career.
Now Roy Hodgson has told Liverpool’s number ten that he must accept any role in the team.
“Joe has to come to terms with the fact that he has come here after an unsuccessful period at Chelsea with high hopes of taking Liverpool by storm and unfortunately it’s not happened,” said the Liverpool manager.
“If he says ‘Well I’m not playing in my right position’, then you’d have to ask him what his right position is. If he says the only place he can play is behind the striker, then he is limiting his chances of playing here.
“We also have Gerrard and [Raúl] Meireles who can play in that position, and at the moment quite often we are playing with two strikers. I would be sad to hear him saying something like that, because he would be suggesting he can’t do what he has done so often for England and Chelsea, which is playing in a different position.”
Cole arrived at Anfield with high expectations, and his signing gave Kopites fresh cause for optimism after a turbulent 12 months. Even after his opening day sending-off against Arsenal, team-mate Jamie Carragher described Cole as being like a “God in the city” and said that the playmaker’s arrival had ”lifted the whole city.”
A paltry return of one goal and one assist, along with the side’s underwhelming form, has meant that the excitement generated by his summer arrival has dissipated. Cole has struggled to make his impact upon games, and has frequently looked short of fitness and confidence.
Hodgson’s Liverpool team is one sorely lacking in creativity. Cole is undoubtedly a player gifted with technical ability, flair and the ability to unlock defences.
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However, Cole has failed to show the willingness and discipline required to fit into Hodgson’s rigid system. If he can marry his inspiration with perspiration, he will undoubtedly have a big part to play in Liverpool’s quest for a European spot this season.
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Premier League outfit Bolton have announced the signing of Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.The deal represents Bolton’s first signing of the January transfer window and shores up the defence after manager Owen Coyle allowed veteran Andy O’Brien to join Championship high-flyers Leeds United on a permanent deal earlier this month.
The 23-year-old is a former England under-21 International and has spent seven years at Middlesbrough, making almost 150 appearances, several of which were in the Premier League with the Riverside Stadium outfit.
Wheater’s new boss declared the signing a win for Bolton as they beat off several other clubs in the race to land the towering defender.
“First and foremost we are absolutely delighted to get a player of David’s quality into Bolton,” Coyle said.
“The hunger that he has shown in wanting to come to the football club has been first class. There has been a lot of competition for his signature and again this shows a willingness on our behalf to invest in young players.”
“The club have parted with good money to secure the services of a very talented player who has been involved with England squads before.”
“We want him to be involved at that level again and to do that he will have to play well for Bolton Wanderers, however he has arrived here with a real desire to achieve that.”
“He has a great character as well. He will integrate into the group straight away and it all adds to the fantastic spirit that we have within the squad.”
Wheater expressed his delight at signing for Bolton, dubbing it an ‘easy’ decision.
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“I met with the manager and we had a good chat about football,” Wheater said.
“I had a look around the facilities and it was a really easy decision to make.”
“From what I’ve seen there is a really great atmosphere at the club and a real buzz about the place and I’m looking forward to working hard and showing the manager what I can do.”
Premier League strugglers Birmingham City have signed Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins on loan.
Martins, 26, joins the St. Andrew’s outfit for the rest of the season and City manager Alex McLeish will hope the former Inter and Newcastle striker can provide the goals to steer his side away from the bottom three.
Martins wanted to return to England to spend more time with his family after joining from Russian side Rubin Kazan.
“His child was born and he asked to let him go to England because Obafemi wants to be closer to his family,” Rubin Kazan head coach Kurban Berdiyev said on the club’s official website.
Martins has only scored twice for Rubin in 12 appearances since joining but netted 28 goals in 88 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United during a three-season stint at St. James’ Park.
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The move may end Birmingham’s hunt for a striker, with the club keen on signing Tottenham’s Robbie Keane previously in the January transfer window.
Brazilian midfielder Elano said his decision to return to former club Santos was an easy one.
The former Manchester City player said he always wanted to return to his native land to help Santos win silverware, especially the Copa Libertadores.
“I really wanted to come back to Brazil, and there were two concrete possibilities – Flamengo and Santos. Santos is my house. I made history here and that was a factor,” he said.
“It’s very gratifying to be able to come back, and have this new generation of excellent players. Santos are a team that always moves forward. The kids don’t want to defend, just attack, and attack a lot, like the 2002 team (Campeonato Brasiliero-winning season).”
“My first objective is the Campeonato Paulista, because it’s our first competition. Consequently, it will be a preparation for the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Libertadores, but of course the Libertadores is our main focus.”
“I got close to the title in 2003 and I want it on my CV, it’s very important. I want to prove to Mano (Menezes) that I came back to be closer to the national team and hopefully he will give me a chance. I think I have more to offer the national team. I can be happy there, I can still play.”
Elano, 29, said he felt he was squeezed out of the City side in 2009 when new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought the English Premier League club. He moved to Galatasary before returning to him homeland in November 2010.
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“I had a marvellous time in England, and in my first year I scored 16 goals in the Premier League. Then there were those problems, there was a new president, a new coach, and a bunch of new players,” he said.
“What was I going to do there? Have a hard time, and have to prove myself all over again? Play one game and be out for two? Not me, I want to always play.”
Bundesliga club Wolfsburg have sacked former England manager Steve McClaren, replacing him with Pierre Littbarski.
McClaren, 49, was poached from FC Twente in May after he led the Dutch side to the Eredivisie title last season.
But the Englishman had little success in the German top flight and after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Hannover saw Wolfsburg drop to 12th, just one point above the relegation zone, McClaren was removed from his post having served just nine months of a two-year-deal.
“VfL (Wolfsburg) have parted ways with Steve McClaren. Pierre Littbarski is taking over,” a statement from the 2009 Bundesliga champions read.
Director of sport Dieter Hoeness said the club no longer had full confidence in McClaren and that the club’s slide down the league prompted the change.
“We were no longer sure that we could work with Steve McLaren until the end of the season with some stability,” Hoeness said.
“We have tried to make things work for as long as possible, but we have lost faith that we can bring success. Following the recent negative results we cannot underestimate our situation in the table.”
“Being only one point clear of the relegation places, we are alarmed. Now it’s just a question of increasing the gap to the relegation places as soon as possible.”
Littbarski, previously an assistant at Wolfsburg, takes charge of a Bundesliga club for the first time following coaching stints in Australia, Japan and Liechtenstein.
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And Hoeness expressed confidence that the 1990 World Cup winner can improve Wolfsburg’s league standing.
“We have talked a long time with him (Littbarski) and he has convinced us that he will introduce those measures that are necessary in our situation,” he said.
Littbarski’s first game in charge will be a home fixture against Hamburg on Saturday.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes will have revenge on his mind when he returns to the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.Hughes makes his first visit to Manchester City since the club sacked him in December 2009 and replaced him with Roberto Mancini.Hughes faced his old side for the first time in November and saw Fulham thumped 4-1 at home by Mancini’s men but the former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder says the same will not happen again.”We’ve moved on from that,” Hughes said.”We’re better now in terms of understanding what we have to do. As a consequence, we expect a much improved performance and result.””What happened on the day, I think, some showed a little bit of apprehension in what we were trying to do. We’re better now in terms of understanding what we have to do. As a consequence, we expect a much improved performance and result.”Hughes is likely to be without striker Bobby Zamora, who injured his ankle in training on Friday less than a week after he made his comeback from a broken leg which sidelined him for five months.Fulham will also be without Steve Sidwell, who will miss a month with a knee problem, while Philippe Senderos and Diomansy Kamara won’t make the trip up north with back problems to keep them out of contention.Hughes’ side will have to stop one of the players he signed at Manchester City, Carlos Tevez, if they are to have any chance of recording an unlikely victory.Tevez starred in the 4-1 win at Fulham netting two goals and setting up another as City produced arguably their best display under Mancini.But Manchester City will be fatigued heading into the match, with just two days rest after their 3-0 home win against Aris Salonika that booked their spot in the Europa League Round of 16.As a consequence, Mancini is likely to rotate his squad with Kolo Toure likely to replace Vincent Kompany who is struggling with a hip injury.Micah Richards (calf), James Milner (hamstring), Shay Given (shoulder) and Nigel de Jong and Adam Johnson (ankle) are all likely to miss the match, making the fixture a test of City’s strength in depth.They will be desperate to win though, given the fact they have won just one of their last four Premier League games and have slipped to eight points behind city rivals Manchester United, who top the table.And although City have won just one of their last 7 Premier League home fixtures against Fulham, they should have enough talent in their squad to post a needed league victory.
Universidad Catolica came from 3-1 down to beat Velez Sarsfield 4-3 away in the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.Chilean visitors Catolica took the lead in the first minute at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani through Argentine striker Lucas Pratto.Velez levelled in the 20th minute with a header from centre-back Fernando Ortiz.Just a minute later they were in front when right winger Augusto Fernandez struck to make it 2-1.Velez appeared to be cruising when left-sided player Emiliano Papa headed home to put the hosts 3-1 up on the stroke of half-time.But their task was made harder when goal-scorer Ortiz received his marching orders seven minutes into the second half.Midfielder Tomas Costa pulled one back for Catolica on 73 minutes, but 10-man Velez looked set to hang on for the win, before Lucas Pratto equalised with three minutes remaining.Striker Francisco Pizarro then struck in the 90th minute to make it 4-3 to Catolica and complete a remarkable comeback. Catolica are now top of Group Four with four points, ahead of Velez.Also in Group Four, Venezuela’s Caracas joined Velez on three points after a 2-0 win over Chilean side Union Espanola.Edgar Jimenez put hosts Caracas ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute at Estadio Olimpico de Venezuela.Panama international midfielder Nelson Barahona completed the scoring eight minutes into the second half.Espanola remain bottom of the group with one point from two matches played.Brazilians Gremio are top of Group Two following a 2-0 win over Peruvian side Leon de Huanuco. Andre Lima and Borges were on the scoresheet for Gremio at the Estadio Olimpico Monumental.Ecuadorian outfit LDU Quito cruised to a 3-0 win over Argentina’s Independiente at Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria. Paul Ambrosi struck in the first 10 minutes for LDU, before second-half goals from Miller Bolanos and Patricio Urrutia wrapped up the victory.
Spain have a tricky trip to Lithuania, while the Netherlands are firm favourites against Hungary as a host of countries meet in Euro 2012 qualifying on Tuesday.Lithuania have it all before them when they take on reigning European and world champions Spain, though they do have the benefit of home advantage.
Sitting fourth in Group I on four points with a game in hand on their rivals, Raimondas Zutautas’ men can prove their worth against a team wielding the likes of Fernando Torres, David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
Spain have won all four of their qualifying encounters, scoring 12 and shipping four goals, including a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Czech Republic on Friday courtesy of two Villa goals.
Lithuania are also a country in form however, after they accounted for Poland 2-0 with goals to Saulius Mikoliunas and Edgaras Cesnauskis.
The game is scheduled to take place at the S. Dariaus ir S. Gireno stadionas in Kaunas, but all the build-up has been about the state of the pitch after Spain expressed their concern at the standard of the surface.
The Netherlands can make it six points in four days against Hungary on Tuesday when they meet in their reverse fixture at the Amsterdam Arena.
The Dutch hammered four goals – from Rafael van der Vaart, Ibrahim Afellay, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie – past the Hungarian defence in Budapest, and there could be more pain to come for Sandor Egervari’s side.
Despite the thrashing, Hungary are in second place in Group E and three points clear of Sweden, but the latter have two games in hand.
Sweden can make inroads into their deficit into Hungary’s advantage when they host Moldova at the Rasundastadion in Solna.
The Czech Republic can get back to winning ways after a gallant loss to Spain on Friday, when they welcome strugglers Liechtenstein in their Group I clash at the Fotbalovy stadion Strelecky ostrov in Ceske Budejovice.
Georgia will be out to protect their unbeaten Euro qualifying campaign when they take on Israel at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv in Group F.
Turkey host Austria in their Group A affair, with second spot up for grabs for the victor.
Romania and Luxembourg face off in a battle of the Group D strugglers, with the two countries sharing just three points between them in their collective nine qualifying encounters.
Estonia will welcome Serbia to the A Le Coq Arena for their Group C clash, fresh from a 2-0 friendly victory over Uruguay – the Baltic state’s first win since beating the Serbs 3-1 in the reverse Euro 2012 qualifier in October.
A win to either side would help break the congestion on the group table, with four nations from second place to fifth split by just two points.
The other two countries involved in the mid-table jam are Northern Ireland and Slovenia, and they will also do battle on Tuesday at Windsor Park in Belfast.
Belgium host Azerbaijan in their Group A match in Brussels.
The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious trophy in world football, to some extent even more worthy than the FIFA World Cup given the money involved in the competition for competing clubs and the eventual winners. It’s the stage for all the best players in the world to perform and whereas the World Cup is determined by nationalities, the Champions League is more accessible and more regular. The winners of the competition are the kings of Europe, but for a competition that plays in and out of domestic European leagues, should there be a new system in place for the Champions League as an end of season tournament?
It’s an idea that a friend of mine has suggested for some time and at first, I thought it was too radical to work, but now after some thinking it’s actually an idea worthy of consideration for the future of the game. Especially if FIFA get their way and stage 2022 World Cup in Qatar during the winter, an end of season Champions League tournament would suit.
How would it work? Well there are 11 Champions League midweek fixtures during the course of the season, replace these with domestic fixtures and the top domestic leagues in Europe can finish much earlier than usual by the end of March/early April. The UEFA Champions League can then take place as a month long tournament running from April into May, similar to how the World Cup is structured.
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What’s the point, I hear you ask? Well, teams competing in the Champions League will be able to concentrate on their domestic commitments without having to rest players for the mid-week European games. Plus, as a competition, the Champions League will be more fair as an overall competition as a month tournament rather than split over a season.
Plus, the Champions League as an end of season tournament would have more of a national following where countries will get behind their national teams. It would be like having a club world cup every year which would be a better spectacle.
On the flip side, objections to this idea would be that teams competing in the competition may be fatigued for the tournament after playing a domestic season and the quality of the Champions League may suffer as a result.
However, not playing European football during the league season may allow players to be fitter for an end of the season tournament, with less travelling involved for squads. Although teams from Russia and Scandinavian countries would have to play the tournament during their domestic league season, it will be more beneficial for them than the current system, where crucial European ties are played during their pre-season.
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If the Champions League is to determine the true kings of Europe, then I can’t see any objections as to why an end of season format is best way forward. It would not even effect World Cup years as the tournament is played during June and July.