Spain want Torres to recover
February 14, 2010
Spanish national team coach Vicente del Bosque has urged Fernando Torres to delay his return from injury with Liverpool.
Del Bosque says he hopes Torres plays as little as possible for Liverpool before this summer’s World Cup. European champions Spain are amongst the favorites to take the Word Cup crown in July and 59-year-old Del Bosque insists his country’s chances would improve by Torres being kept out of action.
The comments could anger Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who has seen his talisman play just 21 times this season.
He returned to training in midweek after recovering from a knee injury and has a realistic chance of facing Wigan on March 8.
But the last thing Benitez needs is Torres’ international manager trying to switch the forward’s focus to South Africa. The European champions’ World Cup hopes will be a secondary concern to Benitez.
Relations between Liverpool and several international managers are already strained given the number of players the club has lost to injury during qualifying campaigns.
And Del Bosque’s comments are especially provocative as Torres’ recent groin problems were first aggravated while playing for Spain.
Del Bosque said: “The fewer games Fernando plays for his club, the better it will be for us. We want him not to play too many games, to recover completely for the World Cup and have had some rest in between. We’d like him fresh for the tournament.”
“That can only be good news for Spain. We hope Liverpool’s loss will be our gain.”
“Fernando Torres represents a crucial part of our squad,” he added.
Tags: anger, campaigns, champions world, Del Bosque, european champions, Fernando, Fernando Torres, international managers, knee injury, Liverpool, midweek, national team coach, realistic chance, secondary concern, South Africa, Spain, talisman, vicente del bosque, Wigan, word cup, World CupRelated posts
Donovan, LA agree to deal; Everton move likely
December 17, 2009
American midfielder Landon Donovan agreed to a new four-year contract with Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday. The deal also moves Donovan close to a loan deal with Everton.
Donovan, 27, put signature to the contract with Los Angeles that locks him up through the end of the 2013 MLS season. In addition, the contract allows Donovan to pursue short-term loan moves to other clubs, provided he returns to America for the start of the season.
Everton and Los Angeles have been in talks recently about landing the American captain on loan through March, at which point he would return home for the MLS campaign.
Donovan has had unsuccessful spells at Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in recent years, but has been a talisman for Los Angeles. They were beaten finalists in the MLS championship by Real Salt Lake last month.
Tags: America, american captain, Bayern, bayern munich, everton, landon donovan, LEVERKUSEN, loan deal, loan moves, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, Major League Soccer, midfielder, MLS, mls championship, mls season, real salt lake, short term loan, signature, spells, talismanRelated posts
Kaka: “I am a huge fan of Steven Gerrard”
November 12, 2009
Ahead of Brazil and England’s friendly in Doha, Real Madrid midfielder Kaka is all hails for England and believes they have a great chance of winning the World Cup because they have a glut of quality Premier League players, with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard being his strong admiration.
Unfortunately, both Kaka and Gerrard will be denied the opportunity to pit their wits against each other in the Friendly, as the Liverpool talisman failed to recover from his groin injury and hence wouldn’t be a part of Fabio Capello’s squad.
“England have always had individually strong players and I am a huge fan of Stevie Gerrard,” Kaka told The Guardian.
“He has the heart of a lion and is the icon of the modern footballer with his ability to attack and defend so well.”
The former AC Milan star claimed England were more than capable of winning the World Cup next summer, but like any team they would require luck to do so.
“The World Cup is a competition in which everything needs to work for your advantage,” Kaka added.
“Players need to be fit, decisions have to go in your favour and details such as a red card can cost a team dearly.
“I have no doubts that England can do it.”
Anurada Bhat
Tags: ac milan, admiration, brazil, captain steven, captain Steven Gerrard, Doha, England, fabio capello, favour, footballer, glut, groin injury, Guardian, kaka, Liverpool, MADRID, midfielder, Milan, no doubts, premier league, real madrid, Steven Gerrard, talisman, World CupRelated posts
Hodgson: Reds not out of it
November 1, 2009
Roy Hodgson has warned the Barclays Premier League’s top teams not to write off Liverpool in the title race.
Hodgson saw his Fulham side consign Liverpool to their fifth league defeat of the season with a 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
It was Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven matches in all competitions and they languish nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
But Hodgson said: “You never know. They are a very good team, very well organised. They have some very good players and are unlucky at the moment that their talisman Steven Gerrard isn’t playing and (Fernando) Torres isn’t 100 per cent fit and has to be nursed through the games.
“But I can see them going on a really good run when they win seven, eight, nine games in a row and if that was to coincide with one or two defeats for the other top teams they would soon be up there again.
“With a quarter of the season gone it is very early to be writing anybody off. I remember not so long ago Manchester United were lingering in the middle of the table almost halfway through the season and went on to win it.
“If I was Sir Alex (Ferguson) or Arsene (Wenger) or Carlo Ancelotti I don’t think I would be writing them off.”
Hodgson, however, was realistic about his own club’s chances after finishing seventh last year and qualifying for the Europa League.
He told Radio 5Live’s Sportsweek programme: “To be one of the best seven teams in the league is going to be very difficult for us on an annual basis. The club is not necessarily geared for that.
“More and more money is being spent and the top four is rapidly becoming the top seven in terms of financial power.
“It would be nice if we could treat our fans to a season when they are not biting their nails into the last two or three games and be a good enough team to occasionally spring surprises like we did yesterday.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: alex ferguson, arsene wenger, barclays, barclays premier league, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, craven cottage, Ferguson, Fernando, Fernando Torres, fulham, Liverpool, manchester united, premier league, radio 5live, rajput, reds, roy hodgson, Sir Alex, sir alex ferguson, sportsweek, Steven Gerrard, talisman, three gamesRelated posts
Carrick: We can cover for Wayne
October 18, 2009
Michael Carrick is confident Manchester United can maintain their progress towards a Champions League knock-out berth even if Wayne Rooney fails to make Wednesday’s trip to Moscow.
With two wins under their belt already, the Red Devils have no need to take any risks with their talisman, especially as Sir Alex Ferguson must plot to beat Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday.
So, if there is any doubt at all over Rooney’s recovery from a calf injury sustained on England duty in the Ukraine, he will remain in Manchester where he can be with wife Coleen, who is due to give birth to the couple’s first child.
Although Carrick accepts it would be a blow to be without his international team-mate, he does feel there is sufficient strength in depth among the Old Trafford ranks not to get too depressed.
“It is a blow,” he said.
“You want your best players fit and available as much as possible.
“But we have the squad. Everyone is here to perform when others are missing. That is the whole point and I am sure we will be fine.”
However, having observed Rooney at close quarters with both club and country this term, Carrick feels the 23-year-old has risen to the challenge of replacing the influence of departed superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Wayne has been flying this season,” said Carrick.
“His performances have been excellent and has already scored plenty of goals.
“But it has not changed him. He is just the same as he has always been.
“He is desperate to play well, not just for himself, but also the team. I have seen him play in various positions over the last few years and he adapts as well as everyone.
“There is more responsibility on his shoulders now but he has responded in a positive way. Hopefully that continues and he keeps doing it for a long time.”
Certainly Rooney has made an impact in Europe, where that opening day win over Besiktas in Istanbul put United in the Group B driving seat.
Their performance against Wolfsburg at Old Trafford a fortnight later may not have matched that standard, but it was still enough to account for the German champions. That win leaves United requiring only four more points to reach the 10 which Ferguson traditionally sets as the qualification benchmark.
Top spot and a favourable last 16 draw are the targets Carrick will be setting once the first goal is achieved, with United looking to atone for that miserable final appearance in Rome last May.
A fourth successive semi-final appearance is possible, which would be a remarkable feat, particularly for Carrick, whose £18.6million arrival from Tottenham in 2006 coincided with the upsurge in fortunes at Old Trafford that has also brought a hat-trick of Premier League titles.
“It looks like I timed it just right,” said Carrick, ignoring completely the thought he could have been the catalyst rather than the fortunate beneficiary.
“I have had three great seasons here.
“To win the league titles like we have – and then to get a fourth would be amazing. And we definitely want to do something about that Champions League defeat as well.
“It just makes me more determined than ever.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: alex ferguson, besiktas, calf injury, close quarters, Coleen, driving seat, England, Europe, fortnight, Istanbul, knock out, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, Michael Carrick, Moscow, old trafford, opening day, premier league, red devils, ROME, ronaldo, sir alex ferguson, talisman, team mate, trip to moscow, ukraine, Wayne, wayne rooneyRelated posts
Socceroo Kewell to miss South Korea friendly
September 2, 2009
Socceroos striker Harry Kewell will miss Australia’s friendly against South Korea in Seoul this weekend due to an ankle injury, coach Pim Verbeek said.
Verbeek said Kewell had not recovered from a knock on his ankle sustained while representing his Turkish club Galatasaray last month.
“As a result it is not worth the risk of bringing Harry to Korea for the match and it is better that he receives treatment instead,” Verbeek said late Tuesday.
He said David Carney, Luke Wilkshire and Danny Invincibile had also withdrawn from Saturday’s friendly, further weakening a side already missing captain Lucas Neill and midfield talisman Tim Cahill.
SYDNEY (AFP)
Tags: Australia, Captain Lucas Neill, Club, coach, Danny Invincibile, david carney, Harry, harry kewell, invincibile, Lucas Neill, luke wilkshire, match, midfield, seoul, socceroo, south korea, striker, SYDNEY, talisman, tim cahill, worth the riskRelated posts
Aquilani ‘proud’ to play with Steven Gerrard
August 13, 2009
Former AS Roma and Liverpool FC’s newest recruit Alberto Aquilani has spoken of his pride at wearing the same colours as “the strongest midfielder in the world”, Steven Gerrard.
The 25-year-old who was presented to the media at Melwood on Thursday after arriving from the Rome based giants AS Roma, for a fee reported to be about £15million.
But the player, who began his career at the Italian capital, was keen to point out he is a long-term admirer of Gerrard’s qualities.
Aquilani said: “Even before coming to Liverpool, I thought Steven Gerrard was the strongest midfielder in the world.”
“I will be very proud to play alongside him and hope I can learn from his game.
“I am looking forward to playing in the same team with players of that kind.
“Liverpool have had good players for a number of years and I have always liked their system of play.”
However, Aquilani and Gerrard have something in common apart from being midfielders as they are both injured.
Gerrard remains doubtful for the match against Tottenham on Sunday with a groin injury, which forced him to miss England’s 2-2 draw against Holland.
Manager Rafael Benitez is closely monitoring his talisman’s progress and said: “I am not sure about Steven. I was really pleased he was pulled out of the squad as a precaution.
“You could see there were six substitutions in the game, so Fabio Capello was doing great for the players.
“As our game is on the Sunday, then maybe Steven will have a chance. If it was on Saturday it would be more difficult.”
Aquilani arrived at Anfield with an ankle injury, which Benitez knew about. It means he will not make his debut for several weeks.
However the Italian believes Liverpool have already got to the root of the problem and come up with a long-term solution.
He said: “At Roma my worries were linked with injury. But when I came to Liverpool, the doctor highlighted exactly the problem I have.
“We now have a very good picture and I hope it will be solved so that I will not be absent again.
“It is a shame I cannot play straight away but it is important to get better, then play well. I am focusing on that.”
Despite his setback, Aquilani is not concerned about the physical aspect of England’s top flight.
He said: “I cannot wait to be involved as it is a different type of league to the one in Italy and a difficult level to play in. I am very excited about what lies ahead.
“This is a very important occasion for me as I am joining a big club with a rich history.
“While this is one of the best leagues in the world, Liverpool have to be one of the main candidates for winning the title.”
Aquilani has replaced Xabi Alonso at Anfield and added: “He was very important player at this club.
“But I am not his natural substitute as I do not have the same characteristics as him.
“I have different style in that I like to move around and not stay in the same place.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: admirer, alberto aquilani, Alonso, anfield, ankle injury, England, Fabio, fabio capello, groin injury, Holland, italian capital, Italy, Liverpool, liverpool fc, long term solution, Manager Rafael Benitez, melwood, midfielder, midfielders, miss england, precaution, rafael benitez, recruit, Roma, ROME, Steven, Steven Gerrard, talisman, tottenham, worriesRelated posts
Totti commits to Roma, signs five-year contract extension
July 27, 2009
AS Roma club captain and talisman Francesco Totti said on Monday that he has signed a new five-year contract with the capital-based club.
The 32-year-old, who had an injury-plagued campaign last season, is known to have chronic knee problems so the length of the contract extension, which will take him past his 37th birthday, will suprise many.
“I want to thank (club president) Rosella (Sensi) for having believed in me once again and for extending my contract with Roma for five years,” he said at a ceremony at the Town Hall in Rome called to celebrate his 178 Serie A goals for the club.
The mark of 178 goals is a single-club record for a player in Italy, which Totti holds with Roma.
“This will give me the chance to beat some more records,” he added.
Totti has only ever played for Roma, where he made his debut in March 1993 and is regarded by the fans as a demi-god.
By: Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: 37th birthday, abhimanyu, club captain, club president, contract extension, debut, demi god, francesco totti, Italy, knee problems, rajput, Roma, roma club, ROME, rosella sensi, signs, single club, talisman, town hallRelated posts
Veteran Totti signs five-year contract extension
July 27, 2009
AS Roma club captain and talisman Francesco Totti said on Monday that he has signed a new five-year contract with the capital-based club.
The 32-year-old had an injury-plagued campaign last season and is known to have chronic knee problems so the length of the contract extension, which will take him past his 37th birthday, will suprise many.
“I want to thank (club president) Rosella (Sensi) for having believed in me once again and for extending my contract with Roma for five years,” he said at a ceremony at the Town Hall in Rome called to celebrate his 178 Serie A goals for the club.
His mark of 178 goals is a single-club record for a player in Italy.
“This will give me the chance to beat some more records,” he added.
Totti has only ever played for Roma, where he made his debut in March 1993 and where he is regarded by the fans as a demi-god.
ROME (AFP)
Tags: 37th birthday, club captain, club president, debut, demi god, francesco totti, Italy, knee problems, Roma, roma club, ROME, rosella sensi, signs, single club, talisman, town hallRelated posts
Bayern dig in for ´brutal fight´ to keep Ribery
March 28, 2009
BERLIN (AFP) – Bayern Munich are preparing for a "brutal fight" to stop playmaker Franck Ribery falling into the clutches of would-be suitors like super-rich Manchester City.
Reports in England this week suggested Premier League side City were planning to swoop for Ribery and his fellow Frenchman, Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, at the end of the season.
City, who failed in their audacious bid to buy AC Milan’s Kaka in January, are determined to mount a sustained challenge on the Premier League next season and have identified the French international as one of their key targets.
Other clubs likely to be interested in Ribery’s services are Barcelona, Real Madrid and possibly Chelsea.
But Bayern warned Friday that they were not about to let their prize jewel go without a struggle.
"Our aim is to do everything to hold on to Franck," Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness told Friday’s edition of Bild.
"But it’s going to be a brutal fight, there are some clubs who are going to table offers.
"The most important thing is to show that we know what we want and that we indicate that we want to keep him because if there’s the slightest doubt his agents will try their chance."
Hoeness added: "Franck and his family feel very comfortable with us here, but it’s obvious that his agents are potentially interested in a transfer."
He went on to identify one factor that could trigger Ribery’s exit from Jurgen Klinsmann’s side, namely a lack of what he termed "perspective" in the quest for a European title.
"But I don’t see any case of that at Bayern," ahead of Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Barcelona.
With money seemingly no object for City’s new Middle Eastern owners Hoeness concluded the interview by suggesting there was no sum which might tempt Bayern enough to contemplate losing one of their best players.
Ribery joined the Bundesliga giants from Marseille in July 2007 for 26 million euros.
He quickly found his feet to become the talismanic leader of Bayern’s midfield.
At the start of the year, Ribery hinted he would be prepared to leave Bayern, but the 25-year-old later issued a reversal insisting he will fulfill his contract, which expires in June 2011.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spelled out this month precisely what Ribery meant to the side.
"He is a crowd favourite, one of those players the supporters love, because he represents spectacular football and is synonymous with success."
Written by: AFP
Tags: ac milan, Barcelona, barcelona real madrid, Bayern, bayern munich, berlin, Bundesliga, champions league, CHELSEA, clash, clutches, England, french international, frenchman, jurgen klinsmann, kaka, karl heinz, Ligue 1, MADRID, manchester city, Marseille, Milan, playmaker, premier league, striker, suitors, talisman, thierry henry, uli hoenessRelated posts
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