Villarreal to make no winter buys
December 18, 2009
In an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca, Villarreal exectutive José Manuel Llenaza made it clear the club would not make any signings in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Llenaza said that the club “did not need any more” new signings, and that he would rely on the club’s strong youth team, Villarreal B, which plays in the Spanish second division, for any possible replacements for injured first-team players.
Despite emphatically stated he wished to spend his Christmas holidays without doing business in the buyer’s market, he did indicate the club might sell Jonathan Pereira to second-division Real Betis.
Llenaza said, “We play against Barcelona on 2 January and against Celta on 6 January [in the Copa del Rey], so there is no time for anything else.”
Villarreal currently sit 10th in La Liga after a slow start to the campaign, and the Yellow Submarine have won three of their last four league outings.
Tags: 6 january, Barcelona, Betis, Christmas, christmas holidays, Copa, copa del rey, doing business, jonathan, jonathan pereira, Manuel Llenaza, marca, new signings, Real, real betis, replacements, Rey, s market, spanish sports, Villarreal, yellow submarineRelated posts
The importance of keeping talent in reserve
October 29, 2009
Maintaining the strength in depth to cope with injury crises is as crucial for the management of a top-class team as it is difficult to master, writes William James.
The recent experience of England’s rugby team is testament to this after being forced to pick a squad without twelve regular members.
Similarly just 10 games into soccer’s Premier League season, managers of the big four clubs have been forced to field reserves. Liverpool handed big-game debuts to Daniel Ayala and Jay Spearing, while injuries forced Arsenal to thrust goalkeeper Vito Mannone into the Champions League spotlight.
The challenge for any team is to keep a pool of talent bubbling underneath the first team that is both able and experienced enough to step up to the next level. Teams invest vast amounts into scouting young talent, but experience is harder to buy.
Managing the gulf between the first team and the reserves is key to ensuring the consistency that brings league titles and secures international trophies. What this soccer season has shown already is that this issue warrants much greater attention.
Second-string teams competing in football’s reserve leagues are given over largely to youth and those returning from injury, while more senior players lose match sharpness bench-sitting for the first team.
The loan deals that provide young players with the experience to slot back into first team action are too inflexible to work; lower-league sides demand season-long loans and control over players.
The result is young talent floundering in reserve leagues or stranded out on loan without a route back to their parent club when first-team opportunities arise.
At international level the balance of reserve squads is again tipped in the favour of youth to the detriment of the senior game. Despite England’s rugby team missing over twelve players through injury, only three of the replacements that have been announced were drawn from the England Saxons, the notional reserve team.
The less said about football’s England B team the better; without fixtures or a defined role it has been supplanted entirely by the Under-21 setup.
The standard of domestic cricket is often derided, but the sport is the best British example of a functioning reserve system working hand in hand with the national team.
England Lions, the squad below the test team, gave Jonathan Trott the chance to step up and perform on a stage that propelled him into the senior team for the final Ashes test. At the age of 28 he had the right mixture of experience and ability, and seized the chance he was given to perform.
Graham Onions is another who, aged 26, successfully made the transition earlier this year.
Forcing youngsters to sink or swim under the gaze of the world’s television cameras is rarely successful and often damaging to both the player and the team.
Those determining the structure of national and domestic squads should take note; youth and talent is essential in the long term, but so is managing a pool of players beneath the first team who are ready to contribute when needed.
England’s Jonathan Trott celebrates reaching his century against Australia during the fifth Ashes cricket test match at the Oval in London August 22, 2009. REUTERS/Philip Brown
Tags: ayala, champions league, crises, detriment, england saxons, league titles, loan deals, notional, premier league, replacements, second string, sharpness, soccer season, team opportunities, trophies, william jamesRelated posts
Lippi: I won’t sign a new contract
October 13, 2009
Marcello Lippi insists he will not renew his contract before the World Cup finals, prompting speculation over the Italy coach’s future.
The Azzurri booked their ticket to South Africa on Saturday with a dramatic draw in the Republic of Ireland.
There is now real confidence in the country that they can become the first team to successfully defend the title since Brazil in 1962.
It is a spectacular turnaround from Italy’s disastrous Euro 2008 campaign under Roberto Donadoni and fans are urging the federation to tie Lippi to a long-term deal.
However, the Azzurri boss is adamant he will not be signing anything before next summer.
“Why?” he said. “If then everything goes bad, would I remain just because I had a contract?”
Lippi acted similarly in his previous stint as Italy coach and left the Azzurri immediately after steering them to World Cup glory in 2006.
Speculation is rife in the Italian media that the 61-year-old has already informed the federation of his desire to step down after the finals and a successor is already being sought.
Reports suggest Lippi will return to Juventus, who he coached for three years, in a ’super manager’ role similar to director of football.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti and England boss Fabio Capello are thought to head the federation’s list of possible replacements, although it would be difficult to prise either away from their current posts.
The federation’s president, Giancarlo Abete, claims he is only looking as far ahead as South Africa at the moment.
“I’m not intervening on who will be in charge after the World Cup, I’m only thinking of the World Cup,” he told Radio Anch’io lo sport.
“I understand that there are thoughts about post-World Cup, but we’re concentrating ourselves on the World Cup.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: anch, brazil, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, director of football, England, euro 2008, fabio capello, giancarlo abete, italian media, Italy, italy coach, marcello lippi, new contract, replacements, republic of ireland, Roberto Donadoni, South Africa, spectacular turnaround, stint, world cup finals, world cup gloryRelated posts
England skipper Terry denies fitness worries
September 5, 2009
England skipper John Terry has insisted there is no question mark over his fitness ahead of next summer’s World Cup finals.
Terry pulled out of an England training session on Wednesday with a slight groin injury but has declared himself fully fit for this evening’s friendly international with Slovenia at Wembley.
The Chelsea captain had problems in the past with his back but is adamant surgery has alleviated any fears in that direction and was a virtual ever present for his club last season.
He said: “I am 100 per cent fit. I was a bit tight in my groin from the game for Chelsea on Saturday. I trained Monday and Tuesday.
“The lads were doing an 11 versus 11 game on Wednesday so the manager said ‘don’t train Wednesday, train Thursday-Friday’ and I am ready for the game.
“It is bizarre people question my general fitness. I played something like 63 games last season. Yes, I had a problem with my back before. That was an operation I had to have.
“It was frustrating for me because you play so many games and people still bring up past injuries. I am as fit as I’ve ever been for Chelsea and England.”
Terry acknowledges that friendly internationals are crucial for identifying replacements should key players pick up injuries.
He said: “Ideally we’d all like to be fit throughout the campaign but there are going to be injuries and suspensions and we’ll have to deal with them.
“That’s why the squad becomes even more important. These friendly games become even more important because it’s a chance for players to come in and make their place and give the manager a problem when it comes to team selection.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: CHELSEA, england skipper, fears, friendly games, game, general fitness, groin injury, internationals, john terry, lads, replacements, slovenia, suspensions, train, training session, Wembley, world cup finalsRelated posts
Fabregas not for sale, insists Wenger
August 14, 2009
Arsene Wenger insists Cesc Fabregas is not for sale at any price after Barcelona were once again linked with a bid for the Spain midfielder.
Fabregas left Barcelona as a teenager to join Arsenal but he has repeatedly been a target for the Catalan club over the last three years.
The close-season departures of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City and Wenger’s struggle to find top-class replacements has left many experts predicting Fabregas will be the next to leave for a more ambitious club.
But Wenger, whose side start their Premier League campaign at Everton on Saturday, said on Friday: “Do you really think we sell now our players one day before the championship starts, players who are basic players of the team? There is no chance.
“You cannot stop people from having a lot of creative imagination during their sleepless nights, but that does not mean we will do it.
“I believe that in life you are committed to clubs with contracts and in no contract is the colour of your blood described.
“We are the beginning of a new season now, and it is important that everybody focuses – me, Fabregas everybody else, just on being successful for the club we love, and the best way we can do that is to do well.”
Despite Adebayor and Toure’s exits, Wenger maintains his squad is stronger than this time last year and can win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
“We are young and have developed. Why should we not be better in August than we were in March?” he said.
“We lost two great players. However, we have bought (Thomas) Vermaelen to replace Kolo and we have Eduardo back, who for me is a great player.
“We have players who develop very well and are young, like Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner, (Theo) Walcott, who are all strikers, so I do not feel we are short in these positions.
“The ambition is to finish as high as possible. What is as high as possible is to finish first, it is as simple as that.
“The competition is of a high level and many aspire to that, so let’s continue to play the game the way we want to play it and I believe we can show that we have made big steps forward.”
Wenger revealed Arsenal are no further forward in any potential transfer deals, which have included a look at bringing former captain Patrick Vieira back as well as Bordeaux’s Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh and Fulham defender Brede Hangeland.
“I have all the players in place,” he added. “If we need to add one or two more, the transfer period is open until August 31.
“Ideally you want not to move any more, but you always have to adjust. If there is a need there, we will do it.
“There are still a lot of players who want to come to Arsenal, because they like the way we play and develop them.
“They feel they get access to top level competition, so I do not think we have a financial handicap.
“The market now is a world market, so you can always find good players.”
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: ambition, ambitious club, arsene wenger, Barcelona, Bordeaux, captain Patrick Vieira, Carlos Vela, creative imagination, departures, Eduardo, emmanuel adebayor, everton, fulham, league campaign, london, manchester city, midfielder, morocco, Nicklas Bendtner, premier league, replacements, sleepless nights, Spain, strikers, target, theo walcott, Thomas, WengerRelated posts
Fabregas admits Arsenal are in a “difficult moment”
August 5, 2009
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas admits the club are in a “difficult moment” after going four years without winning a trophy.
After a disappointing campaign marred by injuries and poor form, Arsene Wenger’s team ended last season grateful to finish fourth and secure a place in the Champions League qualifying round.
The close-season has offered little respite for the Gunners as Wenger sold Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City and struggled to find big-name replacements.
Fabregas, 22, is the latest Arsenal star to be linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium as AC Milan prepare a 30 million pounds (50.8 million dollar) bid for the Spain midfielder.
But Fabregas insists he is still committed to the Arsenal cause, even if things are harder than expected at present.
“Every big club goes through difficult moments and we are in one at Arsenal, but we have to be stronger than ever and stick together and I am sure we will be fine,” Fabregas said.
“For the last three seasons, we have been unlucky with injuries so hopefully this year we can all stay fit.
“We will never start the season thinking that we are going to finish fourth. The quality is here and I believe we can do it.”
Fabregas missed most of last season through injury and Arsenal suffered badly while he was out. This year Fabregas is determined to stay fit and continue his development as a goalscorer.
“Individually, my target for this season is to improve everything, because at my age, I believe it is the right thing to do,” he said.
“Of course if I can score more goals than ever, the better it will be for the team.”
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: 30 million, ac milan, arsenal, cesc fabregas, champions league, emirates, Emirates Stadium, emmanuel adebayor, gunners, kolo toure, london, manchester city, midfielder, Milan, replacements, respite, Spain, target, three seasons, trophyRelated posts
Wenger won´t rush to splash out after Toure exit
July 30, 2009
Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can still compete with the Premier League’s big-guns even if he doesn’t bring in expensive replacements for Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.
Wenger collected 40 million pounds from Manchester City after selling Togo striker Adebayor and then Ivory Coast defender Toure to the Eastlands club over the last two weeks.
Those sales have led some pundits to question whether Arsenal, who are without a trophy since 2005, are still serious contenders for the sport’s top honours.
But Gunners manager Wenger, who has so far signed only Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, refuses to panic buy just to appease the public.
“I feel we are strong enough but if we can add then we will do it,” Wenger told the club’s official website:
“In England people think that all the problems can be sorted out by buying players.
“I believe the biggest target is to work hard in training, improve what we can improve and have confidence in the players that we have.
“If we need to add then we will. We have money available so for us it is now important to spend it in the right way when we do it or if we do it.”
Reports in England on Thursday claimed Wenger was considering a shock bid to bring France midfielder Patrick Vieira back to Arsenal.
Vieira, who is keen to leave Inter Milan, has already been in discussions with Arsenal’s local rivals Tottenham but the Gunners refused to comment on the latest reports.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: Ajax, big guns, contenders, emmanuel adebayor, England, France, gunners, inter milan, Ivory Coast, kolo toure, london, manchester city, Milan, patrick vieira, premier league, pundits, replacements, rivals, target, Thomas Vermaelen, tottenham, WengerRelated posts
Grandel, three others out of Guadeloupe with injuries
July 6, 2009
OAKLAND – If Guadeloupe is going to repeat its semifinal outing in the 2007 Gold Cup, it will have to do it without four key players.
Goalkeepers Franck Grandel (shoulder) and Fabrice Mercury (hamstring), midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre (ankle), and defender Ronald Zubar (knee) are out with injuries.
All four are expected to miss Guadeloupe’s match against Panama Sunday.
Grandel, who was chosen the 2007 Gold Cup’s top goalkeeper and earned all-tournament team honors, has left Oakland for France where he is expected to rehabilitate with his new club Dijon.
Guadeloupe team officials said Grandel would have stayed had his shoulder been in better condition and would have waited to sign with Dijon.
Grandel didn’t have a club prior to being named to the Gold Cup roster. He’s considered one of the nation’s top players.
It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.
“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”
What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.
Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.
After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.
“Obviously because the players that were chosen, they were chosen for their quality and their experience,” Parnasse said. “So instead of now counting on the individual talent that was brought to this team, the players are going to have to bring themselves together and move forward.
It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.
“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”
What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.
Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.
After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.
“Obviously because the players that were chosen, they were chosen for their quality and their experience,” Parnasse said. “So instead of now counting on the individual talent that was brought to this team, the players are going to have to bring themselves together and move forward.
By Ivan Orozco
Go to Source
Tags: 2007 gold cup, Alex Parnasse, assistant coach, clavier, coach alex, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, dijon, fabien, Fabrice Mercury, fausta, France, franck grandel, game time, Goalkeeper, guadeloupe, handful, interpreter, Ivan Orozco, Jerome, Larry Clavier, Ludovic Sylvestre, Marius Fausta, mercury, Mexico, Oakland, Panama, parnasse, replacements, ronald zubar, team officials, time decisionRelated posts
Barcelona president leaves door open to Eto´o departure
June 4, 2009
MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta has left the door open for the departure of Samuel Eto’o, saying Wednesday that the future of the Cameroon striker at the Spanish champions would depend on the transfer market.
“The football market is very dynamic and maybe there could be a surprise because he is a player who is very much in demand,” he said.
Eto’o, the top scorer for Barcelona in the league this season with 30 goals, is under contract with the Catalan side until 2010 and “it would be great if he finished his career at Barcelona,” he added.
The 28-year-old has reportedly sparked interest from English Premier League club Manchester City and French side Lyon and Italian side Inter Milan.
Catalan radio RAC1 reported Tuesday that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has told Eto’o that he will not be counting on him next year.
But it is unlikely that Barcelona will let him go unless they sign a replacement for the striker.
Spanish media have tipped Valencia’s David Villa, Atletico Milan’s Diego Forlan and Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic as possible replacements for Eto’o.
Tags: Atletico, Barcelona, cameroon, catalan side, club manchester, DAVID VILLA, diego forlan, English Premier League, french side, inter milan, italian side, joan laporta, LA Liga, Lyon, MADRID, manchester city, Milan, pep guardiola, rac1, replacements, s david, samuel eto, samuel eto o, spanish champions, spanish media, striker, top scorer, Valencia, zlatan ibrahimovicRelated posts
Barcelona president leaves door open to Eto´o departure
June 4, 2009
MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta has left the door open for the departure of Samuel Eto’o, saying Wednesday that the future of the Cameroon striker at the Spanish champions would depend on the transfer market.
"The football market is very dynamic and maybe there could be a surprise because he is a player who is very much in demand," he said.
Eto’o, the top scorer for Barcelona in the league this season with 30 goals, is under contract with the Catalan side until 2010 and "it would be great if he finished his career at Barcelona," he added.
The 28-year-old has reportedly sparked interest from English Premier League club Manchester City and French side Lyon and Italian side Inter Milan.
Catalan radio RAC1 reported Tuesday that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has told Eto’o that he will not be counting on him next year.
But it is unlikely that Barcelona will let him go unless they sign a replacement for the striker.
Spanish media have tipped Valencia’s David Villa, Atletico Milan’s Diego Forlan and Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic as possible replacements for Eto’o.
Tags: Atletico, Barcelona, cameroon, catalan side, club manchester, DAVID VILLA, diego forlan, french side, inter milan, italian side, joan laporta, LA Liga, Lyon, MADRID, manchester city, Milan, pep, pep guardiola, rac1, replacements, s david, samuel eto, samuel eto o, spanish champions, spanish media, striker, top scorer, Valencia, zlatan ibrahimovicRelated posts
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