Gary Cahill still wary of Manchester United threat

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Jan 17, 2014

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he would be disappointed if his side finished fourth this season as he firmly believes they could win the Premier League.

The title race is always a close one, but this season, it may be closer than ever with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea all fighting for the number-one spot, with Liverpool and Everton not too far behind.

At the start of the season, Rodgers was aiming to get Liverpool back into Europe’s top competition, but after such an amazing start to the campaign, he is now looking higher than just fourth spot.

‘Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are based around Champions League squads,’ Rodgers said. ‘They have been religiously in there and they have got a lot of depth that they can call upon.

‘But we know that if we have got the fortune to stay clear of injury and what not, I would put our team up against anyone. I would never give up the fight. Of course, the challenge is to get to fourth.

‘Once you can do that, it is all about seeing if you can go beyond that. But I will never give up the fight. With the games we have got to go and the confidence we have, we just need a bit of luck with injuries and to be able to manage the team.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Robin Van Persie backs David Moyes

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Jan 17, 2014

Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie has jumped to the defence of manager David Moyes and believes it’s only a matter of time before he gets things right at Old Trafford.

Moyes’ reign at United has been very stop-start and at the moment, they are looking like missing out on Champions League football for next season, which would be a huge blow to The Red Devils and their finances.

United did go on a seven game unbeaten streak in all competitions a month or so ago, but that was then followed up by three back-to-back defeats, and so far, that has summer up Moyes’ reign at Old Trafford.

However, injured striker, Robin Van Persie, believes Moyes can turn things around at the club, he just needs time to do so.

“Moyes needs time, he’s new,” said Van Persie. “The manager is our leading man and he will change things around.

“We lost too many points this year, but we are doing everything we can to change that.

“We are used to winning,” added Van Persie. “If you win, it’s a normal day at the office. After the Community Shield win, none of the players really celebrated, or played music, as it was the way things were.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Shane Long set for Hull City switch after West Brom accept bid for striker

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Jan 16, 2014

The Irish international looks increasingly likely to make a switch to the KC Stadium after the Baggies allowed him to speak to the Tigers

Hull City look set to sign Shane Long after West Brom accepted an offer for the striker.

The Tigers were interested in the forward back in the summer, but missed out after the Baggies blocked a proposed £5m move.

However, with the offer thought to have been upped to around £6m, sporting and technical director Richard Garlick has confirmed that they have agreed to allow the Irish international to talk to the Tigers.

Garlick told the club’s official website: “Shane effectively only has 18 months left on his deal and with him no closer to accepting our terms and then Hull making an acceptable offer, we felt it was in the club’s best interests to accept the bid.”

The West Brom chief also revealed that Long had rejected the opportunity to sign a new deal at The Hawthorns.

“We began talking to Shane about a new contract last Spring and, during the ongoing negotiations, we made him two offers which would have significantly increased his salary.
“However, despite our best endeavours, Shane has declined to sign a new contract.”

Long now looks set to become the second high-profile striker to arrive at the KC Stadium this month, following the capture of Everton’s Nikica Jelavic.

The Tigers confirmed on Wednesday that they had landed the Croatian international on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Mauricio Pochettino to face questions over Southampton future

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Jan 16, 2014

Cortese’s exit, believed to be over a power struggle with owner Katarina Liebherr, was confirmed on Wednesday evening after mounting speculation.

Southampton now fear the ramifications of his departure, with manager Pochettino having repeatedly stated his loyalty to the Italian-Swiss banker who recruited him.

The Argentinian said last May, when Cortese’s departure was first mooted: “I would not understand staying in this role if Nicola was not here.

“I have great respect as well for Southampton, the club and the supporters, but Nicola has been the one that has placed his trust and faith in me

“We are on the same wavelength about the club and the future of the club so it really would not make any sense if I was at this club and he was not.”

Pochettino is understood to have met Liebherr on Wednesday but is it understood his future – even for the remainder of the season – remains unresolved.

He is expected to address the issue at a news conference – broadcast on Sky Sports – ahead of this weekend’s Premier League trip to Sunderland.

Cortese became executive chairman in 2009, having been instrumental in Liebherr’s acquisition of the club earlier that year following the death of her father, Markus.

He had overseen the club’s rise from League 1 to the Premier League but relations with Liebherr are understood to have broken down irrevocably over differing plans for the future of the club.

Liebherr said in a statement on Wednesday: “It is business as usual and we will ensure that the manager, team and staff at the club have all the help and support they need.”

She also said Cortese’s resignation had been accepted “with great regret”, that he had “done a wonderful job” and that Southampton “very much wanted him to stay.”

Southampton defender Luke Shaw, a reported target for a number of major Premier League clubs, gave his reaction to Cortese’s departure in a message on Twitter, writing: “Gutted with that news, but would just like to thank Nicola Cortese for everything he has done for me and the club! All the best to him!”

Having entered administration just prior to the Liebherr takeover, Southampton began 2009/10 with a 10-point deduction but soon rose from the bottom of the third tier, achieving back-to-back promotions in 2011 and 2012 under Adkins, brought in as a replacement for Alan Pardew.

And after the controversial sacking of Adkins, Pochettino led the Saints to a 14th-placed finish last term, with Southampton ending their comeback top-flight campaign five points clear of the relegation zone.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Xavi linked with MLS move

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Jan 16, 2014

Under the proposed deal the 33 year-old Barcelona midfielder would leave the Catalan giant – at which he has won every trophy club football has to offer in a decorated 17-year career – at the conclusion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Red Bulls would be able to fit Xavi into its squad under the MLS’s designated player rule, which allows a club to sign up to three players outside of its salary cap.

The Bulls has two deisgnated players, Cahill and French striker Thierry Henry, enabling it to fit the Spanish star into its squad.

Xavi, who is considered among the world’s best play-makers, had been linked with a move to New York City FC, which will enter the MLS in 2015 – one year before his Barcelona contract ends.

Manchester City, which co-owns the rival New York football franchise, had reportedly been keen to sign the Spaniard, with a view to the new American club playing the Barcelona way.

Written by Steve Milne

Raheem Sterling wants to repay Brendan Rodgers

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Jan 16, 2014

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a run of 10 straight games in the Reds’ starting line-up, scoring three goals in the Premier League.

After starting the season on the bench, Rodgers has opted to include the former QPR youngster on a regular basis with Sterling revealing his joy at being given a chance to shine.

“I’m really enjoying having a run in the team; anyone playing for the club would love to have a run in the team,” he told the club’s official website.

“I’ve been given a chance, the manager has put faith in me and played me week in, week out so far. Hopefully I can produce on the pitch and carry on.

“I knew within myself that there would be a point in the season when I would get a chance. I just had to be ready.

“In training I was working hard to hopefully get a chance; the chance came and hopefully I can repay the manager by either scoring or assisting.”

Sitting in fourth place in the league and six points adrift of leaders Arsenal, Sterling has praised the team spirit at the Merseyside club, who welcome Aston Villa to Anfield this weekend.

“Confidence is the most important thing for my game; if I’m not confident, I don’t do the stuff I normally would do – I just do the safe or simple option,” he said.

“But now, getting into my zone with the senior players encouraging you to do what they know you can do, it’s a really good moment for me and the team.

“This season, if you come into the dressing room before the game and after the game – and around the training ground – you can see the difference that has been made by the team bonding. It has been really good.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below

Rogers believes Sturridge can be one of the worlds greatest,

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Ben Reardon

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Jan 16, 2014

Liverpool striker Brendan Rodgers believes that Daniel Sturridge can become one of the greatest players in the world.

The striker scored on his return to the Liverpool first team fold, and also set Luis Suarez up as Liverpool ran out emphatic 5-3 winners away at Stoke City.

Sturridge was ruled out for six weeks with an unfortunate injury, but Rodgers believes that Sturridge is back to his best, and can become one of the greatest players in the world.

Rodgers stated in an interview….

My opinion about Daniel has only been reinforced during the time I have worked with him,” he said.

“He has a wonderful opportunity over the next couple of years to become world class. He has every tool, every quality to be a world class striker similar to Luis Suarez.

“He came on during the game last weekend and was superb which is a great credit to him on how focussed he has been in getting back to full fitness.”

On Liverpool’s chances of winning their first top-flight title since 1990, Rodgers admits the longer they stay in touch the more seriously their challenge will be taken.

“We are only six points off the lead and we have all the top sides around us to play at home,” he said.

“We have got to feel we are in with a chance but everyone will talk about the three clubs ahead of us because their squads have been around there for the past few years and they have big squads to choose from.

“For us it is just a case of continually improving, working and trying to fight to be up there. We really have to push on now to try and stay up there, keep our standards high and that’s not just on the games but every day in training.

“Thankfully I have a group of players who are brilliantly focussed on maintaining those standards and we’ll take that into every game we play.”

The striker has formed a superb partnership with Luis Suarez, as the Reds push for a Champions League place, for the first time since 2009.

Liverpool are currently fourth in the table, and face struggling Aston Villa at Anfield on the weekend.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Gus Poyet says Vito Mannone is ‘calm’ about links to Man Utd

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Jan 16, 2014

Mannone, who moved to Sunderland for £2million last summer, is now first choice with Keiren Westwood set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Reports in Italy on Wednesday suggested David Moyes was considering Mannone as a possible back-up to David De Gea at Old Trafford.

But Sunderland boss Poyet says Mannone is happy at the Stadium of Light, with the Uruguayan in the market for a back-up goalkeeper himself.

David Forde is a possible target, with the 34-year-old out of contract at the end of the season and available for a minimal fee from Millwall.

Sunderland have also been linked with two Argentine keepers playing in Italy – Catania stopper Mariano Andujar and Genoa’s Albano Bizzarri – with Poyet keen to strengthen his options before the end of this month.

The Black Cats boss told the Sunderland Echo: “I think Vito is calm about everything.

“It was a very different situation for me with Vito and Westy (to give Mannone his first Premier League start), probably one of the hardest decisions I made before Manchester City.

“Unfortunately, Westy has had an operation now and is out for another three months. But I’m calm over Vito. There are players that you can talk openly to and Vito is one of those.”

On the search for a new keeper, Poyet added: “It’s a position that we are looking at.

“We’re working on a few positions and I can say openly that we’re looking at goalkeepers, although that doesn’t mean someone will come.

“I don’t want to say I’m going to bring in this, this and this, because then you don’t have the quality. But if there’s a player who I know can come in and help us quickly, then I will do.”

England Under-19 international Jordan Pickford has provided back-up for Mannone in recent games – but is cup-tied for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg, meaning his fellow academy product Joel Dixon will occupy a spot on the bench.

Written by Steve Milne – have Your say below 🙂

Fabio Borini plans Liverpool return

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Jan 16, 2014

The Italian forward, who has struggled for form and fitness since returning to English shores in the summer of 2012, linked up with the Black Cats on a season-long agreement in September.

He has found the regular first team football he craves at the Stadium of Light and has netted important goals in victories against Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester United.

The 22-year-old admits to enjoying his time on Wearside, despite being thrust into a Premier League basement battle, but has no plans to stay long-term.

Borini – who spent time in Chelsea’s academy ranks and took in a loan spell at Swansea City back in 2011 – remains determined to prove his worth at Anfield, with Liverpool having splashed out £10million to secure his services from Roma.

He said in the Daily Star: “I’ll finish my season here and then after that I’ll go back to Liverpool because that’s my contract.

“It would be nice to go back there as a Premier League player and to have shown them that even in a hard situation I can do well.

“I’ve achieved one of my objectives here at Sunderland of playing every week, but to play for big teams like Liverpool, you don’t just need to perform well.

“As a striker you need to score goals. You can perform well, but at the end of the season people count your goals.”

Wriiten by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Cazorla happy to make sacrifices

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Jan 16, 2014

The Gunners have only conceded 19 times in the Premier League this season which – along with Chelsea and Everton – gives them the best record in the top flight.

The Spain international may be a playmaker by nature, but he accepts that if Arsenal are to be successful he must help out his team-mates at the back, too.

“I believe that defence is the fundamental basis of any successful side,” Cazorla told Arsenal Player. “If this team must base itself on something, it’s keeping clean sheets because when we do I think it means we guarantee the win in every game.

“The team is strong going forward and creates a lot of opportunities in every game. If you concede, you’ve got more ground to make up so it’s important that we keep as many clean sheets as possible.

“Sometimes you have to pull your sleeves up on the pitch and put in the hard work, particularly the players who play further forward.

“I remember the game against Newcastle at their place when [Tomas] Rosicky and I were practically playing out on the wings because that’s what was needed.

“Sometimes you have to make sacrifices that you’re not used to, but that’s what you have to do if you want to get results. I’ve become used to it now as it’s the best way to help the team – and that is what counts.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Unwanted United midfielder Anderson heads to Italy

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Jan 16, 2014

The Brazilian has told friends he wanted a permanent move to ensure more playing time but that United only wanted to sanction a loan move at this time.

Anderson left Frankfurt on Thursday morning – having connected from Manchester – and the loan should be in place by lunchtime on Friday.

Anderson has made just four appearances for United in the Premier League this season, and eight overall.

He joined United in 2007 from Porto for around £20million, making 179 appearances and scoring nine goals.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina have injuries to Giuseppe Rossi and Mario Gomez which means they are rivalling Premier League sides for the trio of strikers being offered around on loan from Italy – Roma’s Marco Borriello and Juventus pair Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella.

Anderson’s departure may lead to United stepping up their efforts to lure Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.

The Frenchman, who left Manchester for Juventus in 2012, would cost in the region of £40m and has been watched in recent days by David Moyes.

Another player who could be set to leave Old Trafford is full back Fabio.

Cardiff City remain in the race to sign the defender, despite claims from his agent that he is staying at United until the summer.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

I want titles with Chelsea, reveals Matic

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Jan 16, 2014

New Chelsea signing Nemanja Matic has revealed that he wants to help the club win silverware as soon as possible after making his return to the club.

The Serbian international left Stamford Bridge three years ago as part of the deal that saw David Luiz arrive in England, but since Jose Mourinho’s return to The Bridge, he has made it clear that he wants to make changes to his side.

The Blues spent £21million on bringing Matic back, and the 25-year-old wants to repay the favour by helping them win major silverware.

“First, I want to play and help the team to win the Premier League, and if it’s possible to play in and win the Champions League in the future (he is cup-tied in this season’s competition).

“I want to win titles here.”

He added: “I’ve played regularly in a big club at Benfica, where it is not easy and there is a lot of pressure.

“In those years I learned to be a winner and play under that pressure. I developed tactically in Portugal also, training very hard and I believe I am better physically also.”

“We have spoken. He said to be professional, to give my best for the team.

“It’s exciting to work with him, he is the best coach in the world and I want to work with him for a long time. I am ready.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

I’ve spoken to Chelsea and I love the club, reveals Zouma

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Jan 16, 2014

Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma has revealed that he has spoken to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho about a possible move to Stamford Bridge in the Summer.

The 19-year-old defender has been monitored closely by Premier League giants such as; Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, but Chelsea have made it clear they would like him to join with a £10million deal in place.

Speaking in an interview in France, Zouma was asked about his future, and he revealed that he has spoken to Mourinho on the phone about a possible transfer for next season, and he has also admitted how much he loves the idea of playing for him at Stamford Bridge.

Zouma said: ‘There was advanced contact last month. At the start I thought it was a joke but afterwards I quickly took [Mourinho’s] call seriously.

‘When a great man like Jose Mourinho calls a little player like Kurt Zouma, it’s nice. It doesn’t happen every day and it’s a big sign of respect and confidence.

‘If you tell me to go to Chelsea, I’ll go there immediately! Especially after the call from the coach. It’s given me ideas.

‘I’m playing my third season in Ligue 1,’ he said. ‘In June, it will be time to go and see how things happen elsewhere.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Hurry up and sign Draxler, says Mertesacker

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Jan 16, 2014