Redknapp eyes Palermo defender Kjaer

January 24, 2010

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he is watching Denmark defender Simon Kjaer as he weighs up a possible bid for the Palermo star.

Kjaer, 20, has been in outstanding form for the Serie A club this season and Redknapp is keeping close tabs on the youngster as he looks to increase his defensive options.

Tottenham captain Ledley King struggles to play more than once a week due to a long-term knee injury, while Jonathan Woodgate has been unable to completely shake off a groin injury.

Redknapp said: “We looked at him (Kjaer) but we have not made a bid. I have been to Italy the last couple of weeks. We go there to look at people who have been recommended.

“We follow up leads but I’m not sure yet which game I’ll go to this weekend.

“That’s the fun out of it for me. I go somewhere every Sunday. I go to watch games in Holland or Italy. I love watching games.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: captain Ledley, denmark, game, games london, groin injury, Harry Redknapp, Holland, Italy, jonathan, Jonathan Woodgate, knee injury, ledley king, london, Palermo, Simon Kjaer, tabs, youngster

No Bowyer grudge for broken leg victim Modric

August 31, 2009

Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric insists he does not blame Lee Bowyer for the tackle that broke his leg.

Modric will be sidelined for at least six weeks as a result of the injury he sustained in a collision with Bowyer at the start of the second half in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Birmingham at White Hart Lane.

The 23-year-old will miss several of second-placed Tottenham’s Premier League matches, as well Croatia’s crucial World Cup qualifier against England on September 9 at Wembley.

Bowyer has been no stranger to controversy throughout his career but Modric does not believe the Birmingham midfielder intended to hurt him.

“It was not a ferocious tackle but it hurt awfully and I knew something was wrong the moment it happened,” Modric told the Sun on Monday.

“It’s like my whole world has crumbled because I’ll be out for at least six weeks. I’m terribly sad.

“The worst thing is knowing that I’ll be watching both my club and country from the sidelines for a while.”

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who also saw captain Ledley King limp off as Spurs maintained their 100 percent start to the season, added: “You could see he was in a hell of a lot of pain and, even though Luka is not a big bloke, it takes a lot for him to have to come off.

“It’s a big blow for us, we are already short of bodies in midfield but we will just have to get on with it.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Birmingham, bloke, broken leg, captain Ledley, controversy, England, grudge, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, ledley king, Lee Bowyer, london, luka modric, midfield, midfielder, premier league, second half, september 9, sidelines, six weeks, spurs, Wembley, white hart lane, world cup qualifier

Newcastle´s Bassong signs for Spurs

August 7, 2009

Tottenham have completed the signingof Newcastle centre-back Sebastien Bassong after the 23-year-old defender passed a medical and agreed personal terms.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made an eight million pound bid for Bassong on Thursday after learning that centre-backs Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King were all likely to miss the start of the season.

“I like him very much. He is young with a good future,” Redknapp said Thursday.

“The chairman (Daniel Levy) is talking. I don’t get involved on that side of it. I identify a player and the chairman does everything else.”

Bassong joined Newcastle from French club Metz in July 2008 and produced some impressive displays despite his club’s relegation.

But he will miss the first two games of the season for his red card against Fulham last term.

Paris-born Bassong, who was calld up by Cameroon for the first time recently, admitted a move to White Hart Lane would be ideal for his international prospects.

“Playing for Newcastle was a real honour in front of the supporters at St James’ Park,” he told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

“But I have always said that I wanted to play in the Premier League and that wasn’t possible with Newcastle.

“It was not good for my career to be at a Championship club. I want to play in future World Cups and African Cup of Nations competitions with Cameroon.

“That is made more difficult if you are not playing at the higher level.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: african cup of nations, cameroon, daniel levy, french club, fulham, future world, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, impressive displays, international prospects, james park, Jonathan Woodgate, ledley king, london, metz, michael dawson, NEWCASTLE, newcastle centre, newcastle evening chronicle, PARIS, premier league, relegation, Sebastien Bassong, St James, st james park, two games, white hart lane

Redknapp confirms Bassong talks

August 7, 2009

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp confirmed on Thursday that his club are in talks with Newcastle about signing defender Sebastien Bassong.

Redknapp made an eight-million-pounds (13-million-dollars) bid for Bassong after learning that centre-backs Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King were all likely to miss the start of the season.

“I like him very much. He is young with a good future,” Redknapp said.

“The chairman (Daniel Levy) is talking. I don’t get involved on that side of it. I identify a player and the chairman does everything else.”

Bassong, 23, joined Newcastle from French club Metz in July 2008 and produced some impressive displays despite his club’s relegation.

However, if Bassong does sign for Spurs, he will miss the first two games of the season for his red card against Fulham last term.

Paris-born Bassong, who was calld up by Cameroon for the first time recently, is keen to leave Newcastle and admits a move to White Hart Lane would be ideal for his international prospects.

“Playing for Newcastle was a real honour in front of the supporters at St James’ Park,” he told the Evening Chronicle.

“But I have always said that I wanted to play in the Premier League and that wasn’t possible with Newcastle.

“It was not good for my career to be at a Championship club. I want to play in future World Cups and African Cup of Nations competitions with Cameroon.

“That is made more difficult if you are not playing at the higher level.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: african cup of nations, daniel levy, french club, fulham, future world, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, impressive displays, international prospects, james park, Jonathan Woodgate, ledley king, london, metz, michael dawson, NEWCASTLE, PARIS, premier league, spurs, st james park, two games, white hart lane, world cups

Celtic prepare for Euro test with Wembley Cup win

July 27, 2009

Celtic enjoyed the perfect preparation for this week’s crucial Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow as the Scottish club defeated Tottenham 2-0 to win the Wembley Cup on Sunday.

Tony Mowbray’s side go into the first leg against the Russians at Parkhead on Wednesday in fine form after following Friday’s 5-0 victory over African champions Al Ahly with another impressive performance in the pre-season tournament at England’s national stadium.

New Zealand striker Chris Killen opened the scoring for a Celtic team showing 10 changes from the Al Ahly match and Georgios Samaras added a second before half-time.

Celtic’s victory meant they finished the four-club competition in first place ahead of Barcelona, who beat bottom team Al Ahly earlier Sunday.

There was much less to enjoy for Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who has seen his side out-played by both Barcelona and Celtic’s reserves over the course of the Wembley Cup.

Redknapp had spent much of the last week bemoaning injuries to Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King and Michael Dawson that left him desperately short of experience in defence.

It took just nine minutes for Celtic to expose the soft centre at the heart of Tottenham’s rearguard.

Paul Caddis teased Benoit Assou-Ekotto and whipped a cross towards Killen. As Pascal Chimbonda and Dorian Dervite stood and watched, Killen took full advantage of their slack marking to bury a header past Heurelho Gomes.

Tottenham should have been level moments later when Tom Huddlestone’s tackle ran through to Robbie Keane. The Spurs captain slipped a pass to Darren Bent and he had a clear run on goal but shot straight at Lukasz Zaluska.

Bent is wanted by Sunderland but if Black Cats boss Steve Bruce was watching at home he might have been thinking again after Bent squandered another chance, this time heading over from close-range.

With finishing like that it is easy to see why Redknapp is keen to complete deals for Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Portsmouth’s Peter Crouch.

Redknapp’s problems in defence persisted as well. In the 40th minute, Samaras turned Dervite inside his own half and sprinted clear of the Spurs back four before smashing a blistering shot past Gomes.

Although there were eight Spurs changes at half-time, including the introductions of Jermain Defoe, Luka Modric and Roman Pavlyuchenko, it was Celtic who went close to increasing their lead after 46 minutes.

Paddy McCourt picked up possession 40 yards from goal and embarked on a rampaging run past five players that left him with just Carlo Cudicini to beat.

Unfortunately for McCourt the accurate of his shot didn’t match the grace of his run.

Darren O’Dea made two brave blocks to deny Defoe and Modric as Tottenham found some attacking impetus.

It is that kind of heroic defending that explains why Celtic haven’t conceded a goal in four pre-season friendlies and the Hoops back-four never gave Spurs another serious chance to get back in the game.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: african champions, al ahly, Benoit Assou-, black cats, Carlo, celtic, celtic team, champions league qualifier, chris killen, Darren O'Dea, dinamo moscow, Dorian Dervite, England, georgios samaras, Harry Redknapp, Jonathan Woodgate, klaas jan, klaas jan huntelaar, ledley king, london, MADRID, michael dawson, Moscow, New Zealand, Paddy McCourt, Pascal Chimbonda, Paul Caddis, peter crouch, Portsmouth, real madrid, Robbie Keane, scottish club, Steve Bruce, Sunderland, tom huddlestone, tony mowbray, wembley cup

Vieira keen to earn his Spurs – Redknapp

July 25, 2009

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira is keen to quit Inter Milan for a shock move to White Hart Lane.

Vieira earned hero status at Arsenal during his nine-year spell with the Gunners, but the France midfielder is looking for regular first-team action after falling out of favour at Inter and Redknapp believes he would gladly join his former club’s bitter rivals.

If Vieira does sign for Spurs, he would risk angering Arsenal fans who regard him as a legend, but Redknapp insisted that wouldn’t stop the 33-year-old returning to north London.

“I’m still interested in Patrick, I would like him,” Redknapp said. “What’s he done wrong? He hasn’t killed anyone, he’s just a great player who played for Arsenal.

“If he wants to come to Tottenham it shows you about his character. He’s not interested in money. He wants to come and play, he’s a fantastic player and wants to play here.”

Redknapp’s priority at the moment is to find cover at centre-back after Jonathan Woodgate joined Ledley King and Michael Dawson on the injury list this week.

All three could miss the start of the season but Redknapp also wants a defensive midfielder to protect his back four and has enquired about Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra as well as Vieira.

Redknapp also admitted he would still consider buying Peter Crouch from Portsmouth if his former club lower their asking price for the England striker.

“I’m still interested in Crouchy but the whole package looks a bit expensive at the moment,” Redknapp said. “I don’t want to tell Portsmouth how much to ask for Peter, that’s up to them.”

Redknapp’s injury-hit side were out-played for long periods by an under-strength Barcelona team missing Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Xavi among others.

But they still emerged from the pre-season Wembley Cup friendly with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser from teenage midfielder Jake Livermore.

Livermore has yet to make his competitive debut for Spurs, but he had signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2011 earlier in the day and he came off the bench to cancel out Bojan Krkic’s opener with a looping header.

Tottenham play their second Wembley Cup match against Celtic on Sunday but Redknapp knows the Scottish club are unlikely to pose such a stern test as Barcelona.

“It’s very difficult to play under that pressure,” Redknapp said. “The whole club is a credit to football. People will only talk about their passing but I saw the other side of their game.”

With his defensive injury crisis in mind, Redknapp tried Vedran Corluka, Tom Huddlestone, Pascal Chimbonda and Dorian Dervite at centre-back but wasn’t completely convinced by any of the partnerships.

“I haven’t got a lot of options,” Redknapp added. “It was difficult with the movement they had to deal with. It was a different system, unlike a team from England when they would have a big centre-forward to play against.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: arsenal fans, Barcelona, bitter rivals, captain patrick, defensive midfielder, Dorian Dervite, France, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, hero status, inter milan, Jake Livermore, Jonathan Woodgate, lassana, ledley king, lionel messi, london, long periods, MADRID, michael dawson, Milan, north London, Pascal Chimbonda, patrick vieira, peter crouch, Portsmouth, real madrid, shock move, tom huddlestone, Wembley, white hart lane, xavi

Spurs teenager pins back mighty Barcelona

July 25, 2009

European champions Barcelona were denied a winning start to their pre-season campaign as Tottenham midfielder Jake Livermore’s late goal earned a 1-1 draw in the Wembley Cup on Friday.

Pep Guardiola’s team were back in action for the first time since the end of their treble-winning campaign, but they were frustrated by the dramatic intervention of a teenager who has yet to make his competitive Spurs debut.

Livermore, who suffered a serious leg injury while on loan at Crewe last season, came on in the 80th minute of the pre-season friendly at England’s national stadium and made an immediate impact as he headed home three minutes later to cancel out Bojan Krkic’s first half strike.

Only Yaya Toure survived from Barcelona team that started against Manchester United in May’s Champions League final as Guardiola kept the likes of Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Xavi and Andres Iniesta on the sidelines.

Given the desperate nature of Tottenham’s injury crisis, Harry Redknapp might well have breathed a sigh of relief when he saw so many unfamiliar names in Barcelona’s squad.

The Spurs boss is currently without Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King and Michael Dawson and was forced to field a makeshift defence in the absence of his three senior centre-backs.

But at a club like Barcelona even the understudies are good enough to shine when given their chance and they were the better team for long periods.

Inter Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has agreed personal terms ahead of his move to Barcelona in exchange for Samuel Eto’o, would have relished the swift, incisive nature of his new team’s opening goal in the 32nd minute.

Toure made a powerful run through midfield and nudged a pass towards Bojan, whose low shot flashed past Carlo Cudicini into the bottom corner.

Barca had the ball in the net again moments later but Pedro Rodriguez’s cool finish was wrongly ruled out for offside.

After a lacklustre start, Spurs briefly sparked into life when Luka Modric hit the crossbar before Benoit Assou-Ekotto forced Albert Jorquera to tip over.

Only a fine save from Cudicini from Victor Sanchez’s blistering drive on the stroke prevented Barca increasing their lead.

With Barca only a week into their pre-season preparations, Guardiola changed his entire team at half-time.

Redknapp sent on England Under-21 defender Kyle Naughton, a recent signing from Sheffield United, for his debut in place of Alan Hutton, the former Rangers defender who had been mercilessly jeered by Celtic supporters still in the crowd after their victory over Al Alhy earlier.

Spurs began to find their rhythm after the break. Tom Huddlestone went close with a deflected effort and Modric forced Jose Pinto into a close-range stop.

They snatched an equaliser in the 83rd minute when Assou-Ekotto floated in a deep cross and Livermore timed his run perfectly to loop a header over Pinto.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Al Alhy, Alan Hutton, Albert Jorquera, Andres Iniesta, Barcelona, Benoit Assou-, bojan krkic, carlo cudicini, dramatic intervention, England, Harry Redknapp, injury crisis, inter milan, Jake Livermore, Jonathan Woodgate, Jose, ledley king, lionel messi, london, Manchester, manchester united, michael dawson, pedro rodriguez, pep guardiola, personal terms, samuel eto, samuel eto o, season campaign, Sheffield, thierry henry, tom huddlestone, Victor Sanchez, Wembley, wembley cup, Zlatan

Cool Keane keep Spurs in European hunt

May 17, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – A late penalty from Robbie Keane kept alive Tottenham’s hopes of European football next season after they beat Manchester City 2-1 here at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

An inventive goal from striker Jermain Defoe capped off a vibrant first-half display by the home team but City hit back through a glorious goal from Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov.

Keane’s 85th minute winner now means Spurs can secure a seventh place finish in the Premier League, and Europa Cup qualification, if they win and Fulham slip up next Sunday.

City played their part in an open end-of-season encounter but are now resigned to a mid-table finish which manager Mark Hughes will be under pressure to improve on next season.

Redknapp signalled his intentions of giving the home fans an entertaining farewell by selecting an attacking line-up including Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Luka Modric and Keane.

Spurs’ injury-plagued centre-back Ledley King made the team after a traumatic week which saw him spend a night in a police cell after an incident outside a London nightclub last weekend.

The visitors were without Brazilian superstar Robinho, who was suffering from a groin injury. His place was taken by Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov.

Spurs potent forward line was soon causing havoc in the Sky Blues’ defense and ‘keeper Shay Given had to be at his best to palm Defoe’s 18-yard effort wide of the post.

City’s Irish stopper was again on hand to save his team ten minutes later, sprawling full-length to push away striker Pavlyuchenko’s 22-yard strike.

The former Newcastle ‘keeper seemed to be single-handedly repelling the home team, producing another excellent reaction save to keep out King’s powerful downward header from Tom Huddlestone’s left-wing corner.

An impudent touch of skill from lively striker Defoe finally breached the visitors’ resistance in the 29th minute.

Midfielder Huddlestone curled in a low cross from the corner of the penalty-area which the diminutive forward back-heeled past Given from six-yards out to register his third league goal since returning in January.

The Lillywhites’ spurned a glorious opportunity to extend their lead two minutes later as captain Keane somehow bundled the ball wide with the goal beckoning after good wing-work from left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

An inspired substitution by Hughes helped pull City level, as Bulgarian striker Bojinov scored with his first touch in the 65th minute.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland chipped a ball into the area which substitute Benjani flicked into the path of Bojinov. The former Fiorentina man reacted instantly to lash a superb volley into the top corner of the goal.

The visitors, who had looked much better in the second-half, continued to press and should have moved into the lead but Benjani headed wide from Dutchman Vincent Kompany’s wicked right-wing cross.

Bojinov was unsettling the home back-line, who were without the substituted Jonathon Woodgate, and his powerful angled drive forced an excellent save from ‘keeper Heurelho Gomes.

However, the home team were to have the last laugh as referee Mark Halsey awarded them a penalty after defender Micah Richards and Spurs substitute Fraizer Campbell tangled in the area following Defoe’s cross.

Keane kept his calm and stroked the ball gently into the goal as Given dived the wrong way.

Benjani had a great chance to equalise moments afterwards, but somehow skewed his header over the goal with Gomes floundering.

Tags: Benoit Assou-, bulgaria, Campbell, captain Keane, English Premier League, europa cup, forward line, fulham, groin injury, Hart Lane, jermain defoe, ledley king, london, london nightclub, luka modric, manchester city, Mark Halsey, Mark Hughes, martin petrov, mid table, minute winner, NEWCASTLE, police cell, Redknapp, Robbie Keane, Robinho, Shay Given, sky blues, Stephen Ireland, tom huddlestone, valeri bojinov, Vincent, white hart lane, yard effort

Tottenham captain King ´bailed after assault´

May 11, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – England and Tottenham Hotspur footballer Ledley King has been bailed by police after his arrested outside a London nightclub on suspicion of assault, British media reported on Sunday.

King, the Spurs captain, was reportedly held after a man was attacked in the early hours outside a club in Soho, central London. The alleged incident came hours after Tottenham drew 0-0 with Everton in the Premier League.

Asked about the incident, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of ABH (actual bodily harm) following an allegation of assault made by a man in his 20s.”

Police later said he had been bailed to return to speak to police at an unspecified later date.

The arrest came after patrolling police officers were flagged down by members of the public at around 2:30 am (0130 GMT) Sunday, she added.

Tottenham Hotspur said it was “aware of an incident involving Ledley King” but declined to make a further comment.

King, 28, is a defender who has 19 international caps.

Tags: actual bodily harm, allegation, captain king, central london, England, English Premier League, everton, footballer, international caps, ledley king, london, london nightclub, old man, police officers, premier league, scotland, scotland yard, soho central, spokeswoman, spurs, suspicion, tottenham, tottenham hotspur

Spurs captain sorry for night club incident

May 11, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – England and Tottenham Hotspur star Ledley King on Sunday apologised for a night club incident which led to him being questioned over an alleged assault.

In a statement on the club’s website, the 28-year-old defender said: “I sincerely regret that a night out with friends went too far.”

Referring to the Premier League club’s manager Harry Redknapp, he went on: “I have apologised to Harry and I fully appreciate that, as a professional footballer, I have a duty to behave in a responsible manner.

“I am assisting the police with their enquiries. Anyone who knows me, knows that much of what has been suggested is totally out of character.

“I am keen to resolve this as soon as possible and concentrate on my football. I shall be putting my all into ensuring I give of my best for the remaining fixtures.”

King was reportedly held after a man was attacked in the early hours outside a club in Soho, central London. The alleged incident came hours after Tottenham drew 0-0 with Everton in the Premiership.

Asked about the incident, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of ABH (actual bodily harm) following an allegation of assault made by a man in his 20s.”

The arrest came after patrolling police officers were flagged down by members of the public at around 2:30 am (0130 GMT) Sunday, she added.

Police later said he had been bailed to return to speak to police at an unspecified later date. Tottenham Hotspur said it was “aware of an incident involving Ledley King” but declined to make a further comment.