Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill expects the fight to both retain leading players and make new signings to heat up in the next couple of weeks.
The Midlands club have already rejected one bid of £20million from Manchester City for England midfielder James Milner at the beginning of the summer.
During the last off-season, former captain Gareth Barry made the same move to Eastlands in a blow to O'Neill's hopes of transforming Villa into a top-four force.
The battle to keep hold of Milner is expected to intensify now that he has returned from World Cup duty, while O'Neill is also looking to bolster his squad with new signings.
He told the club's official website:"There is a lot of speculation, obviously, at this time of the year and it will hot up now over the next couple of weeks.
"From my own viewpoint, I would like players to stay here and try and build. Sometimes that is not always possible but we have got a couple of weeks now and we will review the position.
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"But for us to have even the same sort of season as last year, one, we would have to be a bit lucky and, two, we would have to try and strengthen."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
With the January transfer window sneaking up on the Premier League sides, it is a chance for unhappy players to earn a move away from their current club to earn some first team football on a regular basis. Whether it be an older player hoping for one last hurrah at a big club or an international player looking to break into their side for the Euro’s next summer players will definitely be on the move after Christmas.
The January transfer window can often be the start of a clubs escape from relegation or push for the European places but it has also come in for some criticism in the past few years. Some players have moved in January in the past for extortionate prices, for example Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres, and not lived up to their hype, so it could be described as a time for panic buying. We are hoping for some more big money signings at the big clubs to bring even more talent to the Premier League and for squad players to get their chance at new clubs ahead of a captivating end to the Premier League season, followed by Euro 2012.
Click on Craig Gordon below to unveil the 10 players likely to move on in January
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Everton boss David Moyes will not relax until his side is a mathematical certainty to avoid relegation from the English Premier League.A 2-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday went some way to securing Everton’s future in the top flight for another year, but their realistic manager is not prepared to rest on his laurels ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Birmingham City.”If we had lost at Newcastle, we might have been looking over our shoulders,” said Moyes, whose side lie in 10th and six points from the relegation places.”And if we don’t get a result in the next few home games, we might be back looking over our shoulders again. I think that is the way the league is at the moment. I think everyone is in that position.””It’s not quite gone yet, and it won’t be until we are far enough up the league and it is mathematically impossible.”The former Preston manager is too cautious to reveal the figure he believes will ensure his side’s safety.”Nobody knows what the points total is. I think everybody’s suggestion is that it’s going to be higher than what it’s been in the past,” he said.”If that is the case, then everybody is battling to try and get the points.”Birmingham suffered a crushing defeat to West Brom on Saturday, bringing them back to earth after their Carling Cup win against Arsenal on February 27. Moyes, however, is mindful that their Wembley performance is a warning of how good they can be.”I think they did great to get a result against Arsenal, and I think that showed you the level of the Premiership and how tough it is,” he said.Everton captain Phil Neville has been ruled out of the game after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over Newcastle.Dutch utility man John Heitinga took his place from the bench and is set to start on Wednesday. Moyes will also be without his first-choice midfield pairing of Tim Cahill (foot) and Marouane Fellaini, with the latter ruled out of the rest of the season with ankle injury.
The first thoughts to enter my head when I saw Blanco come on for Mexico against South Africa were “What the Hell!! Mexico must be desperately short of players!” He looked like a big tank rolling across the field. He made Berbatov seem like a Gazelle. So why did Mexico bring him along to the World Cup and more importantly would he make a difference?
Few minutes after he came on I realized why Mexico needed him, he seemed to energize an uninspired team, and brought them to life, their attacking play improved a lot and most of it went through Blanco. He might be the slowest forward in the World Cup but he’s by no means a liability to the team, I think if they could, Mexico would have played him every game from the start. The Man has an innate ability to pick out the right pass, unlock defenses with a chip or a through ball, he’s a player who’s capable creating a moment of brilliance. He also scored for Mexico against France from the penalty spot.
Intrigued and also impressed by his cameo performances so far, I did a bit of research on him; turns out he’s a legend for Mexican Football, considered their most talented player in the last two decades. His career was spent playing in the La Liga, MLS and the Mexican First Division. Having played for Club America for the longest period, his stats were impressive too, showing he had a knack for scoring goals. He’s been playing most of his career as a deep-lying forward or as an attacking midfielder, making full use of his creative talents.
So I realized I have a new reason to cheer for Mexico, this almost immobile and unfit player who incredibly is in my opinion key to Mexico achieving anything in the World Cup 2010, Javier Aguirre has a player who can create a chance from nothing, a brilliant impact sub, who can be brought on when things aren’t going right for Mexico.
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So with a new reason to cheer Mexico on, I look forward to seeing this man who many would consider not in shape to even keep up with a Sunday league team, play at the world’s biggest stage and impress everyone and show the world why we’ll miss Cuauhtemoc when he finally retires!
Steve Kean’s future at Blackburn Rovers remains in the balance as the Venkys suggested that they will be sitting down together to discuss the best way forward. The Rovers team are currently on a tour of India allowing the Venkys to showcase their football club; however with the team struggling back in England and fan protests towards the manager has somewhat soured the tour. The Venkys suggested that they will take supporter feeling into consideration, before they make any decision on the next steps forward for the Lancashire club.
Elsewhere in the news today Sir Alex Ferguson expected a challenge from City; Suarez rights off Liverpool’s chances, while the Premier League TV rights disputed.
Ferguson expected City challenge
Premier League TV rights disputed
Szczesny wants Arsenal captaincy
De Gea explains doughnut scandal
Kean’s future in the balance
Suarez rights off Liverpool chances
Gareth Bale gets accolade
Newcastle set reopen negotiations with £8m bid
Everton beat off Spurs to land £2m Bantams ace
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Liverpool join Premier League rivals in £18m chase
Midfielder Franck Ribery has hit back at former national coach Raymond Domenech for his attack on France’s World Cup squad.Ribery was a member of Domenech’s squad during France’s infamous player walkout at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.The French players refused to train in a show of a support for Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home for a heated verbal exchange with Domenech during France’s loss to Mexico.Domenech, who was replaced by Laurent Blanc after France crashed out in the group stages, slammed the players as ‘brats’ for their part in the affair.But Ribery, who competes at club level with German giants Bayern Munich, has criticised the former manager for the timing of his outburst.”I don’t know why he says these things. I find it a shame,” Ribery told L’Equipe. ”The World Cup has gone, I don’t want to talk about Domenech anymore. I am very motivated to get back in the France team with a new staff and new coach.””In South Africa Domenech didn’t talk to us. He should have done it immediately, not only now. He should have said it to our face, it’s not good.”Domenech broke his silence over France’s World Cup disaster on Tuesday, saying he was unfairly singled out when blamed was being apportioned following the humiliating opening round exit.”Everyone is talking instead of me. I want to restore the truth. I’m not the moron that people are describing me as,” he told L’Express.”Let’s be clear: I got it wrong, I mustn’t have chosen the right players nor found the words that were needed.””With hindsight, I see them mainly as a bunch of foolhardy brats.”
Lorient central defender Laurent Koscielny is desperate to leave France and join Arsenal this summer, according to the player's agent.
The highly-rated 24-year-old has only been with his current club for one season, but would like the chance to try his luck in England next season.
Agent Stephane Canard told France Football:"French and foreign clubs have shown interest. Among them, there are the Gunners.
"It is difficult to not listen to someone like Arsene Wenger when he is attracted. Any player is tempted to work with him.
"Lorient's officials want to get an eight-digit fee and negotiations have started. With some bonuses, we are not that far away.
"One year ago, coming to Brittany was a real sporting choice. During last season, German clubs showed interest, but it didn't go any further.
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"Now it is different as the season is over. Without being critical of Lorient, Laurent is 24 years old and has others ambitions.
"He recently called his chairman and coach to tell them he absolutely wants to join Arsenal."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
In the 21st century, football is a sport that is driven ferociously by the national media with breaking stories and latest scandals bringing in the big bucks for newspapers, television companies and websites. With this clamour for a story that will jump to the public’s attention footballers are now being approached to be interviewed and offer their opinions on matters that should – at times – be kept behind closed doors.
In a recent video interview, Fernando Torres placed the blame for his dreadful form and goal-scoring record at Chelsea on the shoulders of his supposedly ‘slower’ teammates. Whilst there is no disputing that Torres might actually have a point, it seems illogical to voice such grievances in the press instead of keeping it ‘in-house’. With social networks like Facebook and Twitter also becoming home to the musings of footballers these days, is it right that these players are allowed to speak as freely as they do? More to the point, why do footballers have so much to say these days?
I’m pretty much expecting the argument of ‘they’re human beings and should be allowed freedom of speech’ to follow. Whilst I agree partly with the fact footballers should be allowed to speak their mind and have opinions like everyone else, their words carry a truckload of significance in both the lives of fans and others in the footballing sphere – not least, in this instance, Torres’ ‘slower’ colleagues.
Like Joey Barton before him, Torres has gone about airing the displeasure he holds with his teammates the completely wrong way. Unlike Barton, who took to Twitter when he decied to rant about Newcastle’s owner Mike Ashley and ended up becoming the most talked about footballer in the country, Torres spoke to the official La Liga website and is now insisting his words weren’t translated accurately. Regardless of whether the interview was interpreted incorrectly, and and regardless of whether what he said was taken out of context, he still shouldn’t have openly criticised his teammates in the first place. But why did he do it? Frustration, attempting to shift the blame? Or something more sinister?
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One thing that is for certain is that footballers are becoming more vocal in the written press and online, and in my opinion the amount of power they now hold in the game is the root cause. Fame and fortune have risen considerably along with the level of disrespect that players now seem to have for their clubs. Some are more concerned with keeping their name in the headlines and having their share of the limelight than anyting else.
Torres’ outburst comes just a matter of days after he was benched by manager Andre Villas-Boas for Saturday’s win against Sunderland, pushing him out of the Stamford Bridge spotlight. Would he have uttered the same words if he was still in the starting 11 or am I just clutching at straws? It’s just a theory, but I think it’s valid to say that players are now starting to come out with more controversial quotes in an effort to remain in the spotlight and garner attention towards themselves. Players know that journalists and fans will put whatever they say under fierce scrutiny and debate, keeping them relevant – whether it’s good press or bad.
Players like Torres who earn millions of pounds a year seem to have adopted a ‘no-fear’ approach when talking to the press. What do they need to worry about if they get fined or reprimanded further by their club? They earn a more money in a week than most will in a year. Some blame could be attached to the media who, in their line of questioning, could subtly coax out the responses that they know will bring in the sales for their employer. Then there is the argument that footballers should be wiser and more intelligent in how they handle certain questions and the way they answer them so not to cause controversy. People may say there is no way of telling if a footballer is being incredibly naïve or extremely astute in what he is saying during an interview.
My view is that footballers go into interviews knowing what they are going to say. They are embroiled in a perpetual crusade to remain firmly in public glare and free themselves from the risk of sliding perilously into insignificance. They feed journalists with the juicy material which they know will be splashed all over the front pages giving them prime exposure and keeping them fresh in the minds of the public.
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There’s been many crazes at Old Trafford over the years, moo hoodies, upturned collars, clear plastic mackintosh’s, green and gold scarves, the list is endless. One craze that seems to be gathering momentum of late is the idea of blaming a certain Darron Gibson every time United put in a below-par performance.
It seems regardless of how other players perform if young Darron’s on the pitch then it’s surely his fault that United haven’t played as well as they could and he deserves to be chastised accordingly. The disappointing results against Rangers, West Brom, Birmingham and more recently the poor performances in the first half against Blackpool and Southampton were blamed by many on Gibson.
Take the draw at home against West Brom for example, Gibson entered the fray with United 2-0 up at the end of the first half when Ryan Giggs picked up a knock. Cue lots of ranting and laying the blame squarely on Gibson’s door as surely if he comes on when United are winning and then they draw- it’s obviously all his fault. Such fallacies of logic are commonplace when it comes to analysing the impact of Gibson.The game against Blackpool was the same with many citing the introduction of Giggs in Gibson’s place as the games turning point. This is actually true but it wasn’t Gibson who was the only poor performer in a United shirt in that first half at Bloomfield Road, there were other more experienced players who were equally as bad.
A quick glance at the stats for this season will tell you that Gibson has one assist and no goals in eight EPL games, however a more in-depth look will tell you that of those eight games- only three were starts- and he was subbed in two of those. In the Carling Cup Gibson fared a little better with a goal and an assist in just two games.
While those stats hardly make you drool with excitement at the prospect of Gibson’s next United appearance they do tell us that the term ‘stop start’ would be something of an understatement for the midfielder. Playing less than 1/4 of United’s games is hardly enough to give any player either the run or the confidence they need.
Part of the problem for Gibson has been his penchant for shooting at almost every opportunity- so much so that ironic shouts of “shoot” echo around Old Trafford when he gets the ball anywhere near the opposition penalty area. Yet Gibson has risen above many other United prospects-arguably due to his reputation of packing a decent long-range shot. Last season was a case in point, when his long range efforts against the likes of Spurs, West Ham and Bayern Munich seemed to cement his reputation as someone who could score from distance. Unfortunately for Gibson those goals, haven’t been forthcoming in his brief appearances this time round and he’s struggled to convince many of the Old Trafford faithful of his value to the team.
Here-in lies part of the problem, Gibson has had no real run in the side, yet is expected to show his worth when he does play so what does he do? He tries to score from long range efforts, yet when he fails it merely convinces everyone he shouldn’t be in the team, it’s a bit of a catch 22. If Gibson was given a decent run then there’s no doubt his shootig would improve and the goals would come, yet with Anderson, Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick and even Giggs all standing in his way then his chances are limited to say the least.
It’s not as if Gibson is a bad player- following his goal against Bayern Munich last season – I’m sure I wasn’t the only United fan eating a bit of humble pie after questioning his inclusion in the team that night. Sir Alex obviously rates him otherwise he wouldn’t have picked him for such an important game and he wouldn’t have kept him in the squad this season.
I’ll be honest and admit at times, I’ve questioned why Fergie persists with him but as I’ve learned over the years, the United manager is seldom wrong when it comes to deciding who’s good enough for the side and even I’ll confess that there are times when Gibson looks as though he could give United a different, useful option in midfield.
Some people have compared him to Paul Scholes and suggested he could replace him one day which is grossly unfair. Not only is Scholes one of the greatest midfielders of all time- that may sound over the top but I whole-heartedly mean it- but he’s a different type of player to Gibson altogether. Gibson may shoot from range, which Scholes does- or used to do a lot better than anyone- but other than that I can’t see too many similarities.
Gibson is no Paul Scholes, but there’s no shame in that- after all Michael Carrick is no Roy Keane and we don’t expect him to be.
The point I’m making is that it’s time to get off young Darron’s case and realise he’s not the root of all evil. You can almost feel the contempt some United fans hold him in at times and it reminds me of the way a certain Bulgarian was treated by some not a million years ago.
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At United I’ve seen players such as Berbatov, Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick and Jonny Evans all come in for harsh criticism over the past few years and by and large they’ve proved their detractors wrong.
Gibson may not be perfect but as long as he dons the Red shirt I for one will be getting behind him, you never know with a bit of support he may even surprise us all.
Read more of Justin Mottershead articles at the NEW Red Flag Flying High
Roberto Mancini’s recent announcement that he will be seeking five new faces to complement his Manchester City squad may have come as little shock to distant onlookers now accustomed to the Premier League champions’ big spending reputation, but the extent of Italian’s recruitment drive is still surprising given the strength in depth at Etihad Stadium.
With so many talented players to choose from and a wealth of experience and skill at his finger tips, such drastic changes may seem difficult to accommodate but the need for constant improvement means the former Inter Milan boss must find new ways to develop his team in order to continue their rapid rise to prominence. While his side may have found their place at the top of English football, their squad is still bloated with overpaid fringe players eating away at the wage budget and the need to streamline their finances into a sustainable business model, while becoming powerhouses at European level, means their transfer activity is far from over.
To suit FIFA’s new Financial Fair Play regulations City must spend within their means and that leaves reducing their outlay as the only viable option if they are to continue attracting the world’s top stars. Enticing players like Robin van Persie to the blue half of Manchester is integral to their development but impending restrictions means they cannot afford to keep players like Kolo Toure and Roque Santa Cruz in reserve if they are to afford continuous improvements. The club has already made strides to solve this problem by loaning out some their unwanted squad players and allowing the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Wayne Bridge and, before them, Craig Bellamy to play elsewhere was a step in the right direction. Still, they have often had to subsidise part of the wage packets delivered by prospective buyers and as such have struggled to find a financial balance. Not only have they had to spend more than necessary but expensive failures like Adebayor and Bridge often end up returning because their wages are too excessive for the club that loaned them and a permanent deal is impossible.
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It means the best way for the club to move forward is to permanently offload their squad members and while this may be difficult given the majority their unneeded employees are overpaid, the end is nigh as most have now been moved on and the squad is looking more and more streamlined. If Mancini can do to Toure and Santa Cruz what he did to Bellamy and potentially Adebayor, then he will free up some room in his transfer war chest and can pursue his main targets without fear of reprisal from the bank manager. With billionaire owners in charge such concerns may seem unnecessary, but City must get used to sensible spending and cannot afford to keep excess baggage in today’s economic climate.
If such standards can be achieved then it’s essential that City start their transfer activity as soon as possible, otherwise they may lose out on their main targets. They can certainly attract top quality but if they delay for too long targets like Van Persie may be swayed by Italian giants or their bitter Manchester rivals. Despite the likelihood of City missing out on one player over financial concerns, the principle still remains as Mancini seeks for his reported five new signings. If said players are to be brought in then they will be of immediate quality and capable of improving the first team, so will cost a lot and be coveted by other top sides. In order to compete, City must be able to snare these players’ signatures while offloading their unused reserves and with the new season only three weeks away, they must step up their transfer activity if they are to get their business done in time for the opening day visit of Southampton. While a winnable home game against a newly promoted side doesn’t offer the greatest incentive to speed up recruitment, it’s still important to have the majority of business deals finished before the beginning of the league campaign. Not only are players eager to find new homes and could be snatched by a more organised rival, but they also take time to settle in, so the quicker new signings are brought in the better.
For a manager whose stock is especially high at the moment, Mancini’s responsibilities are just getting started as he seeks to repeat last season’s heroics and also improve on them. With increased expectation on his shoulders, City’s manager must get stuck in to his transfer dealings to keep his reputation improving along with his title winning side.
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Should Mancini speed up his transfer activity? Do Manchester City need 5 new players this summer?
Let me know your views and opinions by following me on Twitter – Tweet me @Alex_Churcher