Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has told Ledley King that he must play at least 20 games this season, or risk being released on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The England defender has been plagued with knee injuries throughout his career, and played only a handful of games last term.
Redknapp has said that despite the centre half’s quality, the club cannot afford to renew his contract if he is constantly unavailable.
“Ledley’s a difficult one. He has to play this year. I can’t go to the chairman and say: “Give Ledley a contract,” if he has only played two games because he isn’t going to do that,” he told the clubs official website.
“This is Ledley’s big year, he’s got to play 20 games or so, really. Ledley needs to put some games in this year to get another contract,” he continued.
Redknapp also confirmed that both Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor will make their Spurs debut’s against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, and that he had an interest in bringing David Beckham to White Hart Lane should he be available.
Finally, when asked about want-away playmaker Luka Modric, Redknapp stated that letting the Croatian go may be an option.
“I’ve always been brought up with the belief that if someone didn’t want to play for your club then you move them on and bring someone in who does. And I was of that opinion in the end. If Luka doesn’t want to be here then take the £40million and move on,” he concluded.
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Spurs are pointless from their first two game of the 2011-12 Premier League season, and the fans will demand they get off the mark against Wolves today.
Arguably the biggest game of the weekend will see Arsenal make the short trip to take on rivals Tottenham to contest the 167th North London derby at White Hart Lane.
If last seasons results are anything to go by the Spurs should be supremely confident of emerging victorious on Sunday after winning both games in 2010/11. Harry Redknapp’s side have shaken off a bad couple of performances at the start of the campaign and are now firing on all cylinders with ex-Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor heading the charge. The Togolese hit man had been in inspired form for his new club since signing from Manchester City on loan and will be eager to get one over on his former club. Despite stating this week he regrets his ‘over the top celebration in front of the Arsenal fans so soon after his move to Etihad Stadium it’s highly unlikely the away end will be tranquil when he enters the field. Redknapp is getting the best out of Adebayor however and he has slotted right in alongside Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van Der Vaart in the Spurs side. The home side should be the more confident of the two having remained unbeaten in their last six league and cup games. They haven’t tasted defeat in 15 derbies either and will be confident of extending that when Arsenal come to town. William Gallas, Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone are out with injury although Steven Pienaar could return for his first appearance of the campaign.
Arsenal will go into the game with three consecutive in league and cup under their belt and a sense that confidence is finally starting to grow after a potentially harmful start to the season. Just as the wheels seemed like they were about to come off the Gunners stormed back and last week’s win over Bolton certainly gave the club and supporters a massive lift. Mikel Arteta has proved to be an inspired signing by Arsene Wenger who may finally see light at the end of a long dark tunnel after his job came under scrutiny a few weeks ago. There is still a lot of work to do and Robin Van Persies contract predicament could prove to be another undermining factor in their campaign. He’s been a shining light through all the darkness as he continues to find the net on a regular basis finding the net 21 times in 23 games during 2011. Interestingly Arsenal score five times against Spurs last season but never managed to end up winners and will be keen to avoid defeat this time around with local pride on the line. Theo Walcott will have his knee assessed before kick off but Gervinho, Laurent Koscielny and Yossi Benayoun all miss out.
Key Players
Gareth Bale – The Welsh wing wizard has been terrific so far this season carrying on exactly where he left off in the last campaign. He tore Liverpool apart a few weeks ago and was equally as good against Wigan with his speed and direct running always a problem for full backs.
Robin Van Persie – Who else for Arsenal at the moment? Reached a century of goals with a double last week against Bolton and will be desperate to add to that impressive tally. Has stayed relatively injury free so far and his link up with Arteta has been a delight to watch at times.
Verdict: 3-2
Gareth Bale is the Spurs player to have had the most shots on goal (19) this season, making the goalkeeper work with 52.63% of these being on target In fact, Bale has a higher tackles won percentage (77.78%) than his shots on target percentage! Robin Van Persie’s three Barclays Premier League goals this season have now come on average every 182minutes 40seconds of action The Dutchman has had 29 total shots in the Barclays Premier League this season, more than any other player. Van Persie has hit the target with 65.52% of these shots
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Aston Villa fans could be forgiven for not feeling optimistic about the start of the new season. With the appointment of Alex McLeish from relegated rivals Birmingham City, fans were sceptical about the direction of their club, and this scepticism has remained throughout their opening games. Despite the negativity around Villa Park it appears that McLeish is having the desired effect on the Villa players.
Previous manager Gerard Houllier did not bring the results fans demanded, but was credited by many with improving their style of football. However, during his short tenure at the club many senior players were alienated, finding themselves dropped to the bench, or excluded from the club completely. Villa also lost the knack of being hard to beat, and consistently conceded soft goals, which saw them battling against relegation for large parts of the season.
It is already clear to see that McLeish has had a positive impact on the Villa players and has galvanised the whole squad. James Collins and Richard Dunne who looked as if they might be on their way out of Villa Park after a public fallout with Gerard Houllier and his staff, have looked rejuvenated at the back for Villa. With two clean sheets already this season, McLeish has sured up the defence and restored them to their previous high standards, with Dunne in particular, returning to the form he has characteristically shown over the last few years of his career.
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Gabby Agbonlahor has continued out of position on the wide, but looks revitalised, he has been given a license to run at people and has proved successful at tearing past defenders. Whatever McLeish has been saying to Agbonlahor it appears to have been working. The local lad had gone stale under Houllier’s regime, but he has been Villa’s most exciting player so far this season, and finally seems to be back to fulfilling his talent and potential. He has three goals already this season almost surpassing his previous effort of five from last season.
Senior players have been quick to praise McLeish and criticise the Houllier reign. Agbonlahor has said he would have left his boyhood club had the Frenchman remained in charge, and blamed the way Gary McAllister set things up at the club. He has certainly started the season as if he is keen to make up for lost time, and has a point to prove, and the improvements in many of the senior players have not gone unnoticed.
McLeish may not have won over the fans quite yet, but he has certainly won over the dressing room. It seems much more balanced, and the players seem a lot more focused. He faces a huge task to get the fans on board, as the majority seem to have already prejudged and written McLeish off this season. This negative attitude ringing around Villa Park isn’t likely to help Villa and McLeish, but at least he has the players on side.
Villa are in a transitional period and McLeish appears to have steadied the ship with limited resources. They have had a solid start to the season currently lying in sixth place, but the doommongering by the Villa fans needs to end before it starts to wear the players and the manager down. McLeish has created a new atmosphere at the club that has filled certain players with a new lease of life and enthusiasm, and the team has certainly grown from last year. Now he just needs some of that to rub off on the supporters.
What do you think of Alex McLeish’s start at Villa? Let me know your thoughts by commenting below or following me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate.
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Newcastle United are believed to be on the verge of sealing a deal to bring Modibo Maiga to the club in January, with a £8million switch to St James’ Park on the cards.
Alan Pardew’s men have been in the market for a new frontman since the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool back in January, and the side’s supporters were frustrated by the failure to sign a new attacker in the summer.
The Tyneside team have been tracking Sochaux’s Maiga for some time, and came close to signing the African hitman in the last transfer window, but a move fell through.
Despite this, L’Equipe state that the Mali international will sign a four-and-a-half year deal with the Premier League outfit in the new year, after impressive Ligue 1 performances have kept The Magpies keen to add him to their squad.
Maiga refused to play for Sochaux at the start of the season after the French club blocked his move to Newcastle, but has since made it back to action, scoring four goals in six games.
A controversial character, Maiga has been booed by his own fans for a lack of commitment to the club in the past, and has previously publicly stated his interest in a move to Newcastle.
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Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak came out and publicly slated Manchester United this week after the third choice ‘keeper was denied a move away from Old Trafford on loan. The 29-year-old wants first team football to have a chance of playing in Euro 2012 which is taking place in his native Poland.
Kuszczak must have felt that his time had come when long-term number one Edwin van der Sar announced his retirement last season, but Sir Alex Ferguson felt the need to bring in goalkeepers to replace the retiring Dutchman and Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea arrived and immediately rose above Kuszczak in the pecking order, angering the keeper.
The Pole arrived permanently at Manchester United in 2007 from West Brom but has made just 26 league appearances in his four years at Old Trafford. Never establishing himself as a first team regular has been a huge problem for Kuszczak’s career but it has taken until this week for him to make his feelings heard publically.
Kuszczak said this week: “I’ve become a slave to Manchester, I’m frustrated but I don’t want to slander or criticise Ferguson. It’s not my style.
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“I’ve talked to Ferguson recently. I asked him to let me leave the club now, before the January transfer window, I told him I want to play and get back into the national team, because Euro 2012 is just around the corner – but it seems he doesn’t care.”
Surely Kuszczak should have left Old Trafford before now, making the odd Carling Cup appearance may not even be realistic for him this season, and he has seemed happy to sit on the bench or in the reserves, earning a decent wage packet and letting his career pass him by without notice. It appears that just because a major international tournament is on the horizon, Kuszczak has been prompted to try and earn a place in Poland’s squad.
The flopped keeper has only played 10 times for his country, so is nowhere near being a regular at any level of his game currently. Kuszczak claims he was denied a move away from the club on loan but is adamant that he will leave sooner rather than later.
Kuszczak said “The possibility of a two-month loan to Leeds United came up two weeks later. The club blocked it. It was a glimmer of hope for me. It would have reminded the Poland manager about me – but I didn’t get the club’s approval.
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“I have respect for Ferguson because, for me, he’s a great manager, but I hope he will let me go in January.”
It is puzzling as to why Manchester United would not allow him the move, but Kuszczak could and should of left United a long time ago when he realised he would never hold the number one shirt. The decision to come out and publically slate the club is not a wise move after they have been paying his wages for doing nothing for the past four years and it will not attract a lot of admires ahead of the January transfer window.
Pepe Reina is accepted as one of best goalkeepers currently playing the game and has lifted both the World Cup and European Championship as a member of Spanish national squad.
The Liverpool number one is arguably the most consistent stopper in the Barclays premier League and has been a great success since arriving on Merseyside in 2005.
It is little surprise he has flourished in the professional game of course, with a father who starred between the posts for Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and the national side, you could say it was almost expected.
In fact, Pepe and his father, Miguel are probably the greatest goalkeeping family in Spanish football.
Pepe attened Barcelona’s la Masia academy as a youth player, however he was not destined to remain at the club. Despite showing early promise and making his debut at just 18 following injuries to first choice keepers, Dutruel and Arnau, Reina was allowed to leave in 2002 after making just 30 appearances for Barca.
He made the short journey south to Villarreal where he soon established himself as first choice goalkeeper, and for three years he guarded the Villarreal net making 109 appearances. His performances did not go unnoticed either. Liverpool’s Spanish Manager Rafa Benitez, was a keen admirer of the shot stopper and in the summer of 2005 the reds came in to buy him.
Reina settled well in England and was soon hailed as one of the top keepers in the league. He now plays a pivotal role in a side managed by former Anfield great, Kenny Dalglish and is one of the most-liked players in the country.
Known for his distribution and skills in a one on one situation, Reina is still under 30 he has some of his best years ahead of him, despite already being recognised as a great.
As we never however, Pepe Reina is born of good stock. His father Miguel was also an exceptional goalkeeper.
Reina senior began his career in the early 1960′s playing for home town and first division side Cordoba.
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It wasn’t long, just two seasons in fact, before he was noticed by a bigger club. In 1966 he joined Spanish giants Barcelona.
At the time however, Spanish football was being dominated by Real Madrid who won a remarkable eight la liga titles, and this perhaps means Reina does not get the acclaim he deserves, despite playing over one hundred games for the Catalan giants.
Reina’s time at the Camp Nou was not without success either as Barca won the Copa del Rey twice while he was there and he also lifted the Ricardo Zamora trophy in 1973.
His time at Barcelona came to an end soon after and he moved on to Atletico Madrid. It was at Atleti that Miguel Reina enjoyed his most successful period as a player, his side won the Intercontinental Cup in his first season and went on to secure liga and copa titles.
Reina also appeared in 1974 European Cup Final as Atletico took on Bayern Munich in the pinnacle of club game.
Despite a strong performer however, the German champions proved too good for the Spaniards and Miguel had to settle for a runners-up medal.
33 years later and it was his son who was left with the bitter taste of defeat as Liverpool lost the 2007 Champions League final to Ac Milan.
Miguel also represented Spain but his career was limited, making just five appearances for the national side. However caps were rarer in those days, as international matches were limited, and he did go to the 1966 World Cup as a substitute.
Pepe’s international career has also been limited. Though he has tasted success he is yet to reach 25 caps for Spain. That is largely down to the exceptional Iker Casillas, had he not been around it is likely that Reina would have a century of caps by now.
Between them the pair have lifted 13 trophies. Including a World Cup, European Championship, three Copa del Rey and a League title.
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With Pepe’s career not ending any time soon he will surely add to that haul.
There are few families who can boast two footballing stars, let alone two who have been so successful and the Reina’s must surely go down as one of the greatest goalkeeping dynasties in history.
Article courtesy of Archie Buck from the fantastic NEW La Liga blog Elcentrocampista
Vedran Corluka and his agent will sit down with Tottenham Hotspur big wigs this week in an attempt to secure a loan move to Roma in the January transfer window according to talkSPORT.
The Croatian defender has lost his place at White Hart Lane after the sudden emergence of Kyle Walker who has been sensational in an improving Spurs side this season. Corluka has made just three league appearances under Harry Redknapp this season and is desperate for first team football.
With Euro 2012 on the horizon, the 25-year-old is on the verge of losing his place in the Croatian national team due to lack of first team football at the Lane. Roma though are set to offer Corluka an escape route that will consist of a six month loan, with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.
Redknapp does not have the strength in depth that he requires for a title challenge in the second half of the Premier League season and so may not be keen on losing another defender in January without a replacement lined up.
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Corluka’s agent Nikky Vuksan said: “Roma are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I would accept him wearing their shirt. I hope to have a meeting with Tottenham soon so we can clarify his future.”
Carlos Tevez’s representative Kia Joorabchian has stated that he is keen to finalise a transfer for his client from Manchester City to AC Milan.
The temperamental Argentine forward is set to leave the Etihad Stadium in the current transfer window after a number of disciplinary issues.
The Scudetto holders have already had a loan move for the South American forward rejected, and Inter have been linked with a move for the attacker in recent days.
Despite this, Joorabchian has stated that he will meet Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani in Rio de Janeiro in the next coming days to hopefully conclude a deal.
“We’re here (in Rio) to finalise with Milan. We haven’t heard from Inter since August,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini has stated that there are a number of teams interested in buying Tevez, and that City may delve into the market once he is sold.
“We need to sell three or four players and with Carlos we could close a deal with a club in the next three or four days,” the Italian coach stated in a press conference.
“We hope for us and for Carlos we can do a deal. There are two or three teams in Italy, a team in France, and another team involved – I hope for him he can start to play football.
“We could maybe bring someone in, but we need to sell,” he concluded.
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One of the hottest talking points of the season so far should came to an end today as Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany learned that his appeal over his red card in the FA Cup Manchester derby was unsuccessful. Chris Foy’s decision to send the City central defender off early in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United has caused everyone to have an opinion on the matter and predictably the two clubs cannot agree on the referee’s call.
Roberto Mancini claimed after the game that Wayne Rooney’s reaction to the challenge made on his United team mate, Nani, was the reason that the unpopular Foy brandished a straight red card; that sees Kompany banned for four games. However, Sir Alex Ferguson; speaking yesterday at the Ballon d’Or in Zurich; felt that Rooney was within his rights to react to the challenge but has empathy with his managerial counterpart.
“To my mind it was a reckless challenge. I have no complaints about Wayne, I don’t think it was unacceptable. I think it was a natural reaction to a bad challenge.” Ferguson said.
“I can understand where Roberto’s coming from because that’s what happens with players today, they all appeal for penalties or players to be sent off. It’s an unfortunate part of our game.”
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There is a distinct pattern forming in the Premier League and one worth delving into the how and why of the matter. It concerns foreign managers and their seemingly apparent top heavy employment into ‘bigger’ clubs. Just why won’t the Premier League’s bottom half employ managers from the continent? Let us examine.
Before we begin, any of you with memory spans long enough to remember Alain Perrin and Velimir Zajec being employed into the Portsmouth manager’s job, you have done well, as they provide clear exceptions to the debate. But the connection between foreign managers and certain clubs runs far deeper.
Firstly, it must be conceded that the bigger money is at the bigger clubs. Take Chelsea as they are a glaringly obvious example. Following Abramovich’s takeover of the club, Chelsea have not only tarnished the reputation of several managerial figureheads in the game, but they’ve indeed had the funds to lure them to Stamford Bridge in the first place.
The same process is repeating itself further north in Manchester as Roberto Mancini succeeded a Brit in Mark Hughes at Eastlands in 2009. Big funds equal big pay packets for big European personalities.
Moreover, Gerard Houllier took over at Villa Park in 2010 after the club’s respectable sixth place finish in the 2009-10 season.
Martin Jol took over in the summer of 2011 at Fulham after an eighth place finish the season before. Hang on and wait a second I hear you cry. Are all of the clubs being mentioned really considered ‘big’ clubs?
The answer deliberately is no, but when you look more closely, there is one thing in common amongst all the teams mentioned thus far. Foreign ownership.
It seems that in the Premier League, foreign ownership has a distinct correlation with the clubs favoured employment of a foreign coach also. With exceptions here and there including Martinez at Wigan, many foreign coaches in recent seasons have been employed into clubs whose ownership too derives from origins far from these shores.
Mohamed Al Fayed has welcomed Jean Tigana and Martin Jol. Milan Mandaric employed Alain Perrin and Velimir Zajec. Randy Lerner welcomed Gerard Houllier. Maybe the correlation isn’t between being at the top and having a foreign boss, being at the bottom and not. Maybe it is about ownership preferences. If you look further afield in the Championship, Leicester City’s foreign owners first employed Sven Goran Eriksson before realising that Nigel Pearson was their man.
Let us speed up to present day and the 2011-12 season specifically. Despite the Premier League having a clear bias towards Glaswegians, a lot of the bottom half is made up of teams with both British owners and British managers. Stoke, Swansea, West Brom, Bolton, Norwich and so on continue to favour employment of talent from these shores.
Cultural knowledge certainly plays a part. For bottom half teams, it is simply much safer to employ a British manager. Let us take the three promoted teams in QPR, Norwich and Swansea. All teams stuck with their managers until Neil Warnock recently. Partly due to their work in gaining promotion from England’s second tier of course, these managers knowledge of England’s subsidiary leagues is extensive and there is a greater sense of connection between fans and boss, fundamental in climbing the Premier League ladder. Maybe this is why Perrin and Zajec didn’t last five minutes? (aside poor form of course).
For teams already competing at the top such as Chelsea and Manchester City, the foreign preference is much more justifiable on the premise that these teams are established and can afford to tinker with a more European playing style as requested by the clubs owners.
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Of course, there are exceptions here and there. Just ask Tottenham fans about the appointment of Juande Ramos under Daniel Levy or the Glazers takeover at Old Trafford (although too scared to ever get reservations about Fergie’s position).
There is still something to be said about foreign ownership and the innate temptation to employ a foreign coaching flavour into the English Premier League.
Are British managers safer for bottom half clubs ? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989