Van Nistelrooy needs time: Hamburg coach

February 3, 2010

Hamburg’s new star signing Ruud van Nistelrooy needs more time to get fit before making his Bundesliga debut, his coach Bruno Labbadia said on Wednesday.

Having spent most of the season on the bench at Real Madrid before signing for Hamburg 10 days ago, the 33-year-old Dutch hot-shot striker is only 60 percent fit, according to Labbadia.

And it looks as though the striker will sit out Hamburg’s Bundesliga game at Cologne on Saturday and needs plenty of fitness work after knee surgery in November 2008 and having played just 127 minutes of football for Real this season.

“We would never put someone under a pressure of time to say when they will be fit,” Labbadia told SID, a subsidiary of AFP, with his side fifth in the German league table.

“Ruud is still working his way back to fitness and it is only 60 percent.

“Whether or not he is in the squad, we will decide at the end of the week.”

Labbadia says the Dutchman needs “a few more weeks” to return to top fitness.

“We don’t want to rush him back too early and risk him getting injured,” said Labbadia.

A calf injury meant van Nistelrooy only trained with the squad for the first time on Tuesday.

“He has not played for the best part of a year, it is a different story if a player has just been out for a few weeks.”

Van Nistelrooy has signed a contract until June 2011 and Hamburg are reported to have spent four million euros on him.

He has already been crowned the best striker in Holland, having scored 62 goals for Eindhoven between 1998 and 2001, England, having scored 95 goals for Manchester United between 2001-06 and Spain, having netted 46 goals for Real between 2006 and 2010.

Having retired after Holland were knocked out of Euro 2008 by Russia in the quarter-finals, van Nistelrooy has said he would like to play for the Netherlands again at this summer’s World Cup.

BERLIN (AFP)

Tags: berlin, bruno labbadia, Bundesliga, calf injury, cologne, different story, dutchman, Eindhoven, England, euro 2008, fitness work, german league, Hamburg, Holland, knee surgery, MADRID, manchester united, new star, quarter finals, real madrid, russia, ruud van nistelrooy, SID, Spain, striker, the Netherlands, top fitness, Van Nistelrooy

United, Arsenal set for another “historic” clash

January 31, 2010

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal will provide another historic chapter in his club’s ferocious feud with the Gunners.

By the time Arsenal and United kick-off at the Emirates Stadium, Chelsea, who have a game in hand on both teams, could have opened up a four-point lead at the top with a win over Burnley on Saturday.

For much of Ferguson’s 24-year reign at Old Trafford it has been Arsenal who have provided the main resistance to his empire-building and the old rivals go head to head with their title hopes at stake once again.

Ferguson fulfiled his ambition to knock Liverpool “off their perch” at the top of English football years ago and Chelsea have only emerged as serious challengers in recent years, but Arsenal, whether managed by Arsene Wenger or George Graham, have always been a thorn in United’s side.

From the moment Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn launched a tirade of abuse at Brian McClair following the United star’s missed penalty in an FA Cup tie in 1988, there has been an extra edge to clashes between these super-powers.

The list of grudge matches is endless and endlessly entertaining: Roy Keane’s tunnel row with Patrick Vieira; Martin Keown’s frenzied celebration of a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty miss and the Battle of the Buffet that saw Ferguson hit by pizza thrown by Arsenal players after a particularly spicy encounter are just a few of the more notable bust-ups.

Ferguson’s strained relationship with Wenger has often provided these games with an intriguing sub-plot, but they are closer these days and happy to savour such a big occasion.

“These games with Arsenal are historic,” Ferguson said. “Since I came down here, apart from the early years before George Graham won his first title, it was Arsenal and United who were mostly competing for the trophies.

“Without doubt Chelsea have become a prominent team in that respect too and it has been ourselves and Chelsea challenging for the league in the last few years.

“But you can never dismiss Arsenal because their history will always guarantee a challenge. And they are definitely in the fray again.

“Sunday’s game has great relevance because both sides have a genuine chance of winning the league.”

Wenger has always seemed more uncomfortable when the flak has been flying, but he would happily get under Ferguson’s skin again because it would prove Arsenal are serious contenders once more.

His squad certainly looks capable of pushing United and Chelsea all the way after over-coming a lengthy injury list to erase an 11-point gap to the leaders.

Even without injured duo Thomas Vermaelen and Eduardo – both sidelined by knocks during the midweek draw at Aston Villa – Wenger is confident his players will rise to the ocassion.

“I look forward to it because it is a match which always promises good football,” Wenger said.

“Manchester United and Arsenal have had some tough games, and sometimes they were not easy on the physical side, but both teams always tried to play.

“It was very rarely a boring game, you always thought at the start it would be a great football game, and so you love that. It is always one of the games of the season.”

Wenger will hand Sol Campbell his first league start since returning to the club. Nicklas Bendter or Samir Nasri will deputise for Eduardo, while Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue are back from African Cup of Nations duty.

United will be without suspended defender Rio Ferdinand but that loss is offset by Serbian centre-back Nemanja Vidic’s return from injury and Ferguson can also rely on in-form striker Wayne Rooney, who has 13 goals from his last 13 appearances.

With games against Chelsea and Liverpool to come, this is a defining period for Arsenal, but Wenger is just happy to be in the hunt again.

“We love being in the race. Of course it was our dream to be in this position,” he said.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, arsenal players, arsene wenger, brian mcclair, burnley, challengers, empire building, english football, fa cup tie, grudge matches, gunners, manchester united, martin keown, nigel winterburn, old trafford, patrick vieira, ruud van nistelrooy, sir alex ferguson, ups

Doctor Cristiano and Mister Ronaldo

January 26, 2010

The best and the worst of Cristiano Ronaldo were again on display in Sunday’s 2-0 La Liga win over Malaga, and his sending off for violent conduct has prompted fierce debate over what some in Spain are calling his “ Jekyll and Hyde” character.

The Portuguese forward netted a superb first-half double to put Real Madrid in command at the Bernabeu but his night turned from glory to shame when he was dismissed for lashing out at Patrick Mtiliga and breaking the defender’s nose.

It was his second red card of the season after his sending-off against Almeria in December for kicking out at an opponent and he appeared lucky to stay on the pitch in this month’s defeat at Athletic Bilbao for a similar incident.

“Cristiano Ronaldo, hero and villain” (El Pais), “Cristiano Ronaldo, again angel and demon” (La Razon) and “Doctor Cristiano and Mister Ronaldo” (Marca), were some of the headlines in Monday’s Spanish press.

Marca columnist Roberto Palomar said Ronaldo’s behaviour had been his “umpteenth act of idiocy this season” and slammed him for letting the team down with Gonzalo Higuain injured and Ruud van Nistelrooy sold to Hamburg SV at the weekend.

“Anyone who gets sent off against Almeria and Malaga with the match already won is a fool,” Palomar wrote.

“Someone needs to sit down with the lad and explain what’s what because you can’t go through life behaving like that.”

Ronaldo apologised to Mtiliga and said he never tried to hurt another player. But that being the case, why did he feel the need for a second backward swing of the arm when he had already shaken free of the Dane’s challenge?

“People who understand football know that my intention is always to try and play. The red card is a disgrace I don’t understand it,” he told reporters.

“I know you saw blood on the TV screens but I was just trying to break free. I never try to hurt anyone.”

There are many great players who, on occasion, have seemed to succumb to an inner demon – Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona, Eric Cantona and Hristo Stoichkov to name only a few.

El Mundo columnist Orfeo Suarez noted on Monday that it’s rare to find a good forward without a touch of devilry inside but how far should we accept acts of folly as being unavoidable characteristics of football genius, the angel and the demon?

As Palomar wrote in Marca, Ronaldo is not fouled any more regularly than players like Messi or Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero and there are many players around who have the same hunger for success.

Ronaldo will be suspended at the least for Saturday’s difficult trip to Deportivo Coruna and his latest lapse puts his goal of winning the FIFA World Player Award back from Messi in jeopardy.

Time to see more of the Jekyll and less of the Hyde.

PHOTO: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to his sending-off against Malaga in La Liga, Sunday Jan. 24. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

Source

Tags: almeria, apologised, athletic bilbao, bernabeu, Bilbao, columnist, cristiano ronaldo, Dane, diego maradona, disgrace, Doctor Cristiano, eric cantona, hamburg sv, jekyll and hyde, la razon, lad, MADRID, Malaga, marca, messi, palomar, Patrick Mtiliga, real madrid, Roberto Palomar, ronaldo, ruud van nistelrooy, Sergio, sergio perez, Spain, spanish press, tv screens, violent conduct, Zinedine

Van Nistelrooy keen to succeed at Hamburg

January 25, 2010

Ruud van Nistelrooy was, as expected, linked with various clubs before signing at Hamburger SV. His agent said that there were various English clubs who wanted to land the former Manchester United striker from Real Madrid.

“It’s obvious that Ruud has a big reputation in England, but his glory days are over,” said Van Nistelrooy’s agent Rodger Linse to Dutch magazine Sportweek.

“He was at a big club, became top scorer of the Premier League. That will never happen again of course. He had his doubts but he wants to be important for his new club.

“At Hamburger SV he will be in a new, inspiring surrounding. HSV is a big, ambitious club. He will give his all.”

Van Nistelrooy had an impressive farewell at the Bernabeu stadium before Real’s match against Malaga (2-0). “We already noticed that when we arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu,” Linse added.

“The fans chanted for him at the parking, they wanted to embrace him and it was all very emotional. Ruud has meant a lot for the club.”

Van Nistelrooy’s won’t make his HSV debut before February 6 when they face Köln. The 33-year-old hotman has only played 127 minutes for Real and must first return to match fitness before he can make his first appearance for his new club.

Tags: ambitious club, bernabeu stadium, doubts, dutch magazine, England, english clubs, farewell, first appearance, glory days, Hamburg, hamburger sv, hotman, HSV, MADRID, Malaga, Manchester, manchester united, premier league, real madrid, reputation, Rodger Linse, ruud van nistelrooy, Santiago, santiago bernabeu, striker, top scorer, Van Nistelrooy

Premier League clubs join Huntelaar pursuit

January 23, 2010

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s agent, Arnold Oosterveer, has revealed that Premier League clubs are keen on signing the Milan striker, amid reports Everton have opened talks with Serie A giants.

The Dutch international has expressed a wish to leave the San Siro on loan in order to boost his prospects of securing a spot in his country’s World Cup squad as he has struggled to make an impact at Milan.

Huntelaar arrived at San Siro from Real Madrid last summer and is now being linked with a move to England.

West Ham United are reported to have turned to the former Ajax ace after failing to persuade his compatriot Ruud van Nistelrooy to move to Upton Park from Real.

However, reports in Holland claim that Everton are ready to open talks with Milan regarding a deal to take Huntelaar to Goodison Park for the rest of the season.

Oosterveer did not wish to name the clubs keen on the 26-year-old, but acknowledged there is English interest in the forward.

“It is right that there are several English clubs interested in the player,” Oosterveer told De Telegraaf.

“For the respect of the club I don’t want to mention any names.”

Tags: Arnold, Arnold Oosterveer, compatriot, de telegraaf, dutch international, England, english clubs, giants, Goodison Park, Holland, klaas jan huntelaar, MADRID, Milan, premier league, premier league clubs, prospects, real madrid, ruud van nistelrooy, San, san siro, striker, upton park, west ham, west ham united, world cup squad

Spurs rule out van Nistelrooy move

January 23, 2010

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp all but ruled out a move to bring Ruud van Nistelrooy to White Hart Lane because of the level of the Real Madrid striker’s wages.

West Ham have reportedly made the Dutchman an offer of a short-term deal on 100,000 pounds a week while Turkish side Galatasaray, German club Hamburg and Stoke are also reported to be interested in signing the former Manchester United forward.

Redknapp admitted that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would be reluctant to shatter the club’s wage structure in order to land van Nistelrooy, who is keen to be playing regularly in the run-up to the World Cup.

“Daniel, the chairman here, runs a good business and wouldn’t be paying that sort of money,” Redknapp said.

“It would break our wage structure by an awful long way. He’s probably worth it and is probably earning an awful lot more at Real Madrid. He’s been a great player and could still be that for someone.

“It’s a gamble because he has been injured. A fit Ruud van Nistelrooy is world-class but it’s a gamble as to whether he’s fit. If you have him for 18 months and he’s not fit it’s a big problem to have a massive wage on your bill.

“But if he plays and scores he can take the club to another level. I’ve always been a big admirer of him, he’s a fantastic player but that sort of basic wage wouldn’t be a possibility at Tottenham. Not a chance.”

Steve Bruce has insisted he will not allow Kenwyne Jones to leave Sunderland on loan and voiced his frustration at persistent speculation linking the Trinidad and Tobago striker with a move to Liverpool.

“Kenwyne Jones is not going to go on loan to anybody to help Liverpool or anybody else,” Bruce said on Friday. “I would be mad.”

Bruce did not rule out selling the striker but questioned whether Liverpool had the funds to pay the “huge amount of money” it would take for Sunderland to let one of their prize assets leave.

The Sunderland boss added: “I haven’t even got a price because I don’t think Liverpool can go there. It’s like me asking for Steven Gerrard on loan – I’ll try, maybe. It’s hugely disrespectful.”

Burnley meanwhile have signed France under-21 striker Frederic Nimani from Monaco on an initial five-month loan.

The 21-year-old becomes new Clarets boss Brian Laws’ first signing since taking over at Turf Moor.

Manchester City have loaned Slovakia winger Vladimir Weiss to Bolton until the end of the season.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: admirer, amount of money, club hamburg, daniel levy, dutchman, german club, good business, kenwyne jones, Liverpool, manchester united, real madrid, ruud van nistelrooy, spurs, striker, wage structure, west ham, white hart lane, World Cup

Redknapp to move for Van Nistelrooy if Pav goes

January 19, 2010

Harry Redknapp has confirmed the transfer rumours: the Tottenham manager is interested in signing Ruud van Nistelrooy. However, the Spurs can only make a move for the Real Madrid striker if they manage to offload Roman Pavlyuchenko from north London.

Tottenham boss Redknapp last night admitted he is interested in bringing former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy to White Hart Lane in the transfer window.

But the deal can only take place if Pavlyuchenko- included in the Spurs squad for tomorrow night’s rearranged Premier League clash at Liverpool – leaves the Spurs.

Tottenham will only countenance a straight sale for the Russian international and have rejected a bid by Zenit St Petersburg to take the 28-year-old on loan for six months.

“It’s an interesting one. Van Nistelrooy is a fantastic player with a proven goalscoring record in England, and if he was available it could be of interest to us,” said Redknapp.

“But I’ve already got four strikers and if I ended up with trying to keep five of them happy, that’s a problem I could do without.

“Pavlyuchenko is looking to move, and I could only do something with van Nistelrooy if someone came in for Pav and he decided to go.”

Redknapp will be without Tom Huddlestone (knee), and Alan Hutton (groin) at Anfield. Skipper Ledley King trained today and Spurs will make a late decision on his wonky knee.

Tags: Alan Hutton, clash, England, groin, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, hutton, Liverpool, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, north London, pav, Petersburg, premier league, russian international, ruud van nistelrooy, skipper, spurs, striker, strikers, tom huddlestone, tomorrow night, Transfer Rumours, Van Nistelrooy, white hart lane, zenit st petersburg

Van Nistelrooy in talks with Spurs

January 19, 2010

Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy on a free transfer.

Van Nistelrooy is thought to have flown to London to discuss terms and undergo a medical. It is expected that a deal for the Dutch striker will be announced today.

The 33-year-old hitman knows he needs playing time in order to make a bid to be in Holland’s World Cup squad. He hopes to revive his chances to play at the World Cup by leaving Real Madrid.

Van Nistelrooy hasn’t been on Real coach Manuel Pellegrini’s mind this season and only appeared in one La Liga match this season and has been troubled by many injuries.

He recently turned down an offer from Galatasaray because he doesn’t want to play in Turkey.

Tags: coach, galatasaray, hasn, hitman, Holland, london, MADRID, manuel pellegrini, playing time, real madrid, ruud van nistelrooy, spurs, striker, tottenham hotspur, Turkey, Van Nistelrooy, world cup squad

Van Nistelrooy snubs Galatasaray move

January 18, 2010

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been the subject of many transfer rumours these days. His future remains uncertain but his agent insists the former Manchester United striker won’t move to Galatasaray.

“I’m getting many phone calls for Ruud, but he doesn’t want to play in Turkey,” said Van Nistelrooy’s agent Rodger Linse. The Real Madrid striker still has two weeks to sign for another club.

Van Nistelrooy has struggled to force his way into the Real side this season and he has also been hampered by injury problems. The 33-year-old hitman has only played one competition match for Los Merengues this season.

Tags: hitman, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, match, merengues, real madrid, Rodger Linse, ruud van nistelrooy, snubs, striker, Transfer Rumours, Turkey, Van Nistelrooy

Stoke reveal Ruud interest

January 11, 2010

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has revealed that the Premier League club are making enquiries about the availability of Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The former Manchester United man hopes to be a part of Netherlands’ World Cup squad for the finals in South Africa this summer.

But the 33-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular place in the starting XI at the Bernabeu and the club are believed to be willing to sanction a move.

Stoke are looking to secure a third successive season in the Premier League and manager Tony Pulis has said he is looking to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.

Coates admitted he was unsure how likely a deal for the prolific striker would be, but confirmed their interest had been lodged.

He said: “It may be a long shot but we’ve made enquiries and we’ll see what comes from them.

“It depends on him wanting games to make sure he goes to the World Cup. We’re too far away from it to know how realistic the chances are of it happening.”

The Dutchman scored 150 times for United in all competitions during his five seasons at Old Trafford, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup before an £11million move to the Spanish giants in 2006.

After initial success at Real, his time at the club has been dogged by injuries and he now hopes to impress Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk to take part in what would surely be his last World Cup finals.