Tottenham Hotspur misfit Giovani Dos Santos could finally be on his way out of White Hart Lane this winter with Spanish side Real Zaragoza declaring an interest.
The diminutive Mexican midfielder moved to Spurs from Barcelona in 2008 but never lived up to his potential and quickly fell out of favour with fans and managers alike. During his time at Spurs, Dos Santos went on loan to Ipswich where he scored four goals in eight games which was followed by another loan move to Turkish side Galatasaray.
As a result of a successful World Cup campaign with Mexico, Dos Santos experienced a mini renaissance at Spurs by playing in three games in August but he has since fallen out of favour once more at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham are likely to be offloading some fringe players in the coming window with the likes of Robbie Keane, David Bentley and Dos Santos all likely to be moving on.
Real Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre has hinted that he may be interested in a loan move for Dos Santos: “Gio could be a very important part of my plans.”
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Dos Santos has previously been criticised by Harry Redknapp for not concentrating on his football and being easily led astray by London nightlife.
Since God was a boy Arsene Wenger has looked down at the Carling Cup, believing it to be a competition that is below his team and just a chance for the youngsters to have a run around. Using it to take a swipe at North London rivals Tottenham after they won it “Is it a trophy to finish 12th and win the Carling Cup? The real quality of a big club is to fight for the championship.” Obviously Wenger sees the competition as something that is beneath him and fit only for the other side of North London to be competing for. Even this season he still declare his lack of interest for the competition, despite the fact that Arsenal have now gone five years without winning a trophy of any sort. Insisting it is merely “a competition for our younger players.”
There is apparently just no getting away from it; first team players will not be involved in an Arsenal team in the Carling Cup. As recently as last year he has been overtly dismissive of it, saying ahead the final between Aston Villa and Manchester United “If you win the League Cup, can you honestly say you have won a trophy?”
Done
However team selections so far in this season Carling Cup tend to paint a different attitude of Wenger towards the competition. In their first match in the competition, a 4-1 away victory at White Hart Lane, first team regulars Wilshere, Denilson, Rosicky were all involved from the outset along with their player of the season so far Samir Nasri. Further reinforcements from the bench came on in the shape of Arshavin and Chamakh in a team that seemed to mix more a great deal more experience with youth than usual in the Carling Cup. Indeed it was a stronger side fielded than their opponents, perhaps a sign of who heralded the competition higher this season?
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Yet if that team was assembled so strongly to make sure of no embarrassment at the hands of their fierce rivals, like the 5-1 defeat experienced in the competition the other year, it was certainly successful as Arsenal outplayed Spurs and cruised to victory. But it would not go as far to explain why Wilshere, Denilson, Walcott and Van Persie have made such prominent roles in their continued success in the competition. Along with Koscielny, who after the injuries Arsenal have had at the back, particularly to Vermaelen, has become a mainstay of their backline. Wenger has also contradicted his usual distain for the competition, although not exactly praising it or setting it as a target, by stating “if we can win this competition then we will take it.” Before the Newcastle game in what was a groundbreaking statement basically ending his kids only policy towards the Carling Cup Wenger we will “go for every single competition with every resource we have.” Maybe a sign that after so many trophy-free seasons any tournament is starting to look appealing. Or in the least that it could spur his team on to win other and more important silverware.
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Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is standing firm on his criticism of Spanish referees following his side’s 1-1 draw with Almeria on Sunday.Mourinho risked incurring the wrath of the Spanish Football Association when he criticised referee Miguel Perez Lasa for failing to award Real two penalties against Almeria.
When asked about the issue ahead of Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against city rivals Atletico, the Portuguese manager remained defiant.
“We played against Atletico Madrid and conceded a goal that was offside. I came out afterwards and said that I would like the same referee for every game, because he is fantastic and I like him,” Mourinho said.
“How can I always be against Spanish refs? If you are honest like me, and you saw the game against Almeria on the television like I did afterwards, then you say that there wasn’t any controversy; there were penalties that weren’t given.”
“Is that controversial? Controversial is when you invent stories that don’t exist. But there isn’t an argument about things that are basic and true. There is a humility that doesn’t exist for referees, who won’t come out and say ‘there were two penalties and I made a mistake’.”
Real take a 3-1 advantage into the second leg at the Vincente Calderon Stadium, but Mourinho is not taking anything for granted, particularly given that his side have conceded six goals in their last four games.
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“If we lose 2-0 or 4-1 tomorrow, then we won’t have any away games in the Copa del Rey. It ends tomorrow. The league is the league, and we will talk about it next Saturday,” he said.
“Today we are talking about the cup, and if tomorrow we lose 2-0 or 4-1, then there are no more cup games to play.”
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to taking a risk by fielding a makeshift defence in Manchester United’s FA Cup comeback 2-1 victory over Southampton.
United manager Ferguson picked new signing Anders Lindegaard in goal for Saturday’s fourth-round match, behind a back four of Chris Smalling, John O’Shea, Fabio and Johnny Evans, none of who would ordinarily be considered first-choice players.
The Premier League leaders went a goal behind to League Two club Southampton, but strikes from Michael Owen and the in-form Javier Hernandez turned the tie around and secured United’s passage to the fifth round.
“In fairness, I maybe meddled with the system somewhat,” Ferguson said after the match at St Mary’s Stadium.
“It wasn’t working at all.”
“It was a nothing first half and the goal, if anything, made us play.”
“We tried a diamond in the middle of the pitch and, of course, Manchester United are used to playing with width all the time and I think that was a problem for us.”
“We had some possession of the ball but we never really threatened. We had two or three shots from the edge of the box.”
Ferguson singled out reserve striker Owen – who seized upon a rare sight of goal to level in the 65th minute – for special praise.
“He only had one chance today: one chance, one goal,” Ferguson said.
Southampton boss Nigel Adkins was proud of his players after they matched the top flight title challengers for much of the encounter.
“I thought it was a cracking game of football,” Adkins said.
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“We tried to pass the ball about and we deservedly went in 1-0 up at half-time.”
“In the second half, for the first 20 minutes, we had opportunities.”
“In the end, we were playing against Manchester United and that bit of class told with the finishing.”
“They are top of the league, they’re undefeated in the league, and they have always got ways they can change the game.”
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway faces a goalkeeping crisis after Paul Rachubka injured his knee in training and could be out for up to six months.
With Matt Gilks, the club’s first-choice stopper, still six weeks away from returning to action due to a knee problem of his own, Holloway will have to rely on Ghanaian Richard Kingson for Saturday’s game with Aston Villa.
Kingson had started 11 games in Gilks’ absence but was dropped for last weekend’s 5-3 defeat to Everton after suffering from head and knee injuries himself – and Holloway admits he will try and sign a keeper on an emergency loan.
“Paul Rachubka has gone and injured himself again, which leaves us with only one fit goalie,” said Holloway.
“He’s come through all that over the last five or six months, he’s got himself fully fit, and then an injury in training and he’s gone. And he might be out for another five or six months.”
“We are going to have to try (to sign another goalkeeper). Richard won’t mind me saying this – he is probably more patched up than anybody I’ve got in my squad.”
“He is a wonderful lad, but he was injured last week when he split his head open, and he had a bad knee the week before that. So I think we can easily prove that we are a little bit short and hopefully common sense will prevail.”
“We reported it straight away and I’m sure we can prove we need another one in – it’s just who, and from where.”
Holloway admits he is still unsure whether his side are good enough to avoid relegation. A fine start to the season saw Blackpool ease clear of the bottom three but a run of five successive defeats has left them just two points above 18th-placed Wigan.
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“Are we strong enough? No-one knew at the start of the season, and we still don’t know now because a win this week and a win next week and we could be way up the league,” he said.
“Last season, some teams at this level went down with 30 points, and one more win, whether that keeps us safe or not, puts us on 31 points.”
Lille midfielder Eden Hazard has put end to any speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal, and admits that he would favour a move to La Liga rather than the Premiership.
Manager Arsene Wenger has previously revealed his admiration for the 20-year-old, who has enjoyed a thrilling season with French outfit Lille so far this season.
The Belgian playmaker has been evaluated around the £20million, and has been a long term interest of top English clubs such as Liverpool and Arsenal.
However, Hazard put the rumours linking him to England and Germany to bed.
“I appreciate England a lot, Germany as well, but my characteristics correspond more to Spanish football,” said the Belgian youngster, according to TheSun.
“Furthermore, this country corresponds to my temperament, the heat and the beautiful stadiums.”
The youngster joined Lille back in 2005 and progressed into the first team by 2007. He has made close to 100 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.
Hazard also emerged through the Belgian youth levels and has represented his country at U-17 and U-19 levels before making his senior debut at just 17 back in 2008.
Former French and Real Madrid star praised Hazard for his talent, claiming that he is the next big thing.
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“Eden is technically gifted and very fast. He will be a major star in the future. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed,” said Zidane to Marca last year.
Valencia boss Unai Emery insists there will be no lack of respect from his side when they face Schalke in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Tuesday’s match will see former Real Madrid players Raul, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Christoph Metzelder return to Spain to face Valencia at the Mestalla, and Emery is well aware of their capabilities.
“I see lots of evenly matched teams – lots of even ties. We have a 50-50 tie against Schalke, we believe in our potential and respect our opponents,” Emery said.
“We consider that winning this tie will be a case of having two excellent matches.”
“They have former Madrid players in Raul, Metzelder and Huntelaar. That says it all about the team’s quality.”
“Raul and Huntelaar are scoring for them. The difference that they make inspires fear. Raul makes this game bigger, but Metzelder and Huntelaar are also great players.”
“They are a strong team. They are having a great season in the Champions League. In the league, they haven’t found consistency, but we expect Schalke to be strong. We will be as well prepared as possible.”
Valencia are unbeaten in nine matches in La Liga and lost just once during the group stage of the Champions League, but striker Roberto Soldado said they could not afford to get ahead of themselves.
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“The team hasn’t lost in nine games, and that means that we can see that we are doing a good job, but we want to avoid over confidence,” Soldado said.
“The team is doing well, and this is shown in the results. The same in the Champions League. Playing like that is the way to get a good result.”
While Arsenal have had some wonderful players that have donned the Red and White of shirt over the years, there have equally been just as many who were anything but fit to wear it. For every Thierry Henry there is a Francis Jeffers; for every Tony Adams there was a Gus Caesar and for every Patrick Viera there was a Junichi Inamoto.
This article is a tribute to the worst Arsenal XI of all time and while I am sure there are many players that we all agree on, I am certain there are other players that many of you will believe should have been included on the list. Scan the gallery and my reasons for each player’s inclusion in the team; however please feel free to add any glaring omissions that I may have made in the comments below….
Click on the Famous Marble Halls to see Arsenal’s Worst XI of all time
If reports are to be believed and admittedly that’s a massive ‘if’ then Sir Alex Ferguson will be handed a transfer war chest large enough to buy Joleon Lescott, Emmanuel Adebayor, James Milner and Mario Balotelli.
However, while you’d arguably be better off torching £100 million than spending it on that quartet of overrated donkeys, there are a lot of players out there who could improve United’s squad.
Ashley Young, Jack Rodwell, Jordan Henderson and Luka Modric have all been touted as possible United targets and if Sir Alex were to decide to buy all four he’d probably end up forking out the same amount that City ‘invested’ in their glorious aforementioned foursome.
I’ve argued in previous articles that I, unlike many of my friends and fellow Reds, do not feel United need to spend any money in the Summer on new players- well certainly not to the degree that’s been suggested. For Ashley Young, see Ravel Morrison, for Jack Rodwell see Paul Pogba, for Jordan Henderson see Darron Gibson for Luka Modric see Tom Cleverley.
I genuinely believe United already have the players on our books to challenge for honours next season- and yes I did say Darron Gibson earlier, amazing at it may sound that someone who’s watched Gibson regularly could actually advocate a policy of keeping him, but believe me given a chance I think he may still have a future- or at least be as worthwhile as Henderson would be if he were signed.
Yes I know that none of the players I’ve mentioned are anywhere near as experienced or proven as the ones touted to be signed, but then again David Beckham wasn’t as experienced as Darren Anderton- who Fergie considered signing in 1995, Nicky Butt was seen as a somewhat lesser replacement to Paul Ince, Paul Scholes wouldn’t be able to replicate the goals and influence of a Mark Hughes.
My faith in United’s youngsters may sound slightly deluded but I’ve watched United’s academy sides since the early nineties when you could go to Old Trafford for a quid as a youngster and see the likes of Ryan Giggs and Mark Bosnich learning their craft- to varying levels of success admittedly. I’ve not been as excited about a group of young players since we had the class of ’92 and I’m sure that if Fergie were to stick his neck out somewhat he could save the club a fortune it doesn’t need to spend, at least not on players.
The point I’m making is that if Sir Alex doesn’t need to spend the money on players, rather than give it back to those kind deserving benevolent chaps that go by the name of the Glazer brothers why not give it back to the fans in the best possible way. Increase Old Trafford’s capacity.
Before you start screaming a list of reasons Old Trafford cannot be expanded allow me to give you a counter argument for every one.
Continue to the NEXT PAGE…
£100 million. That’s the point I’m making, if United could invest £100 million in expanding the stadium then surely that would be enough to bump the capacity up by at least 8000. Would that be worth it? Well if each seat was worth say £800 a season then it would probably take around 15 years for the full £100 million to be paid back. That’s of course saying the club could get rid of all those tickets which is by no means a guarantee. However even if it took that long or longer, it could be worth it in the long run and that’s what United is all about sustaining our place at the top of the food chain, or even raising it slightly.
Even Sir Alex had advocated stadium expansion in the past, stating:
“I’m on to David all the time about expanding the stadium. I know what we could do with the main stand at both ends; we could build a structure up and across. We could do one corner at least and maybe get another 6,500 seats to take the total capacity to 83,000.”
The extra seats shouldn’t be sold as season tickets they should be used for one simple reason. Pay on the gate. This may sound like a recipe for disaster but I remember vividly in the early nineties when my Dad finally allowed me to got to games on my own- or more to the point just with my mates, saving up ticket stubbs, adding them to the token sheet then queuing for over an hour at the ticket office.
The fact is local youngsters who want to watch United the way I did from the age of 12 onwards just cannot either afford or obtain tickets. This may sound like an outdated, irrelevant point, after all we don’t need just local people to attend Old Trafford, but the way things are going I genuinely worry how many of Manchester’s kids will be United fans in the next few years. To ignore the importance of Mancunian support when it comes to United would be short-sighted and somewhat foolish yet allowing a ‘pay on the gate section’ could also help the atmosphere improve.
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‘Pay on the gate’ may also encourage a few more die hard fans to come back to Old Trafford as more than a few have simply grown disillusioned not just with the Glazers but also the lack of atmosphere and difficulty in obtaining tickets.
I know you wouldn’t need to expand the capacity at United to implement a ‘pay on the gate’ policy but it would make it a lot more feasible and a lot easier to put into practice. You wouldn’t be taking tickets away from anyone as they’d be coming from the additional seating.
The idea of having a ‘standing section’ seems to be less and less likely with the powers that be reluctant to risk letting football fans actually enjoy themselves at games nowadays so something else is surely needed.
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The more I sit lamenting the atmosphere, while listening to my mates tell me how they can’t afford to take their kids to Old Trafford, or can only get tickets for ‘lesser’ games, the more I see people leaving in droves with 20 minutes left to go and the more I see the club losing touch with the fans that made it what it is today, the more I believe drastic action is required.
Manchester United once went 26 years without winning the league, we once suffered the indignity of relegation a mere six years after we’d been kings of Europe, Liverpool were practically perennial champions while we had to settle for the occasional distant second place and I do mean occasional.
The idea that United could ever return to such dark times seems laughable, but with Sir Alex Ferguson one day retiring what better shape to leave the club in, than with the biggest stadium in the land and a crowd capable of raising the sort of atmosphere that used to be the envy of Europe.
£100 million on expanding the stadium may seem like a waste when you can buy at least four top class players, but it may turn out to be a bargain, if it keeps the club at the very top for many years to come.
Have I gone in off the deep end yet again with absurd flights of fancy masquerading as insightful suggestions or is there a modicum of truth to the rantings I’ve subjected you to? Feel free to comment abuse and discuss below.
Read more of Justin’s articles at Red Flag Flying High
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is not yet thinking about the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after his team beat Tottenham on Wednesday.A second-half howler from Tottenham goal-keeper Heurelho Gomes gifted Cristiano Ronaldo the only goal of the game at White Hart Lane, Real winning 1-0 to take a 5-0 aggregate victory in the tie.
It sets up a semi-final El Clasico between Real and arch-rivals Barcelona.
But Mourinho said there were more pressing challenges for his side, who will face Pep Guardiola’s team in the La Liga on Saturday and in the final of the Copa del Rey on April 20 before the Champions League first-leg a week later.
“Let’s see what happens. We have ambition to beat Barcelona,” Mourinho told ITV Sport.
“The semi is a semi (and) anything can happen. We have two matches against them before the semi-final and there is no time to think.”
Mourinho insists his decision to play his strongest team was the right one, despite defender Ricardo Carvalho picking up a booking and consequently being suspended for the first leg of the semi-final.
“I think I was right when I decided to play with a good team because even playing with this team in a serious way Tottenham had a couple of chances,” Mourinho said.
“Of course 4-0 is a very good difference but if they had scored in the first half, with this incredible crowd, and this team, it could have been difficult but when Cristiano (Ronaldo) scored it was all over.”
Despite the loss, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes his club can still be proud of a campaign that saw the club reach the quarter-finals of a competition they had never played in before.
“It was a fantastic experience for everybody and we’ve enjoyed every minute of the adventure,” Redknapp said.
“What we have do in the next few years is make sure that Tottenham build a team that can challenge every year and get in the Champions League.”
“There is no good doing it once and not doing it again. You have to keep improving.”
“You need to tweak your squad to keep doing it. That’s what we want, like Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United do every year. There is no reason why Tottenham can’t do that.”
Redknapp will now turn his attention to the Premier League, where he hopes Tottenham can finish third and gain automatic entry into next season’s Champions League group stage.
“It’s going to be tough,” Redknapp said. “We have to try and finish above Man City and Chelsea.”
“That’s what we are aiming at and it won’t be easy. We will give it everything we’ve got. We will play some great football, as we always do, and let’s see where it takes us.”