It has been a bit of an up and down season for Everton in the 2010/11 Premier League. David Moyes’ men were seemingly going to be embroiled in the relegation battle that half the league are involved in, but a recent run of good form means that the Toffees are looking up rather than down and could still secure European qualification, as Everton currently lie 7th in the Premier League table.
The Toffees’ recent upturn in form has seen the players playing for the Everton shirt and showing some of the determination that the Merseyside club is renowned for. Moyes has brought a grit and never say die attitude to Everton and over the course of the season that has eventually begun to shine through. Leon Osman and co. have started to find the back of the net to brighten spirits at Goodison Park and to lift the mood of supporters further, we are giving away a signed Everton shirt to one lucky Everton fan…
188SPORT have teamed up with Football FanCast to give fans the chance to win a signed Everton shirt
188SPORT are proud sponsors of Everton and recently launched their new ‘Moments In Time’ website which offers Toffees fans the chance to vote for their favourite ever game-changing moment from an Everton game. ‘Moments In Time’ is an interactive forum, where you, the fans, can read club legends’ favourite moments as well as uploading your own, commenting and voting on others.
To upload your moment and have your say, log on to www.188sport.com/moments/everton
For a chance to win just correctly answer the following question…
What nationality is Everton manager David Moyes?
A) English
B) Irish
C) Scottish
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Email your answer to [email protected] to be in with a chance of winning this great prize.
The competition closes on Monday 2nd May at 12pm so make sure you get your answers in now!
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20-year-old Neymar, heavily linked with Chelsea this summer, has emerged as the next big thing on the conveyer belt of Brazilian talent, and on Saturday he’s likely to play an instrumental role in his country’s Olympic gold medal clash with Mexico.
It will be the young forward’s first major international final, though the man dubbed the future of Brazilian football has said he won’t approach the match differently to any other.
That may be the case on the training ground, but in the privacy of his Olympic accommodation he may deploy some unusual tactics to get psyched.
Can you come up with a funny caption for this picture?
Leave your suggestions in the comments section below…
This week you can win a copy of Chelsea FC: Double Champions! Season Review 2011/12 on DVD!
For Chelsea , 2011/12 was an incredible season that will live forever in the hearts and minds of players and fans alike.
The club completed an historic double, lifting The FA Cup and becoming newly crowned champions of Europe, lifting the coveted Champions League trophy following years of heartbreak, after beating four times winners Bayern Munich at their home ground in one of the most exciting Finals in recent times.
Every match and every goal from this unforgettable season are covered in this action-packed review, with bonus material thrown in, too.
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Last week’s winner: Goonerrrrr – click here to see all entries
French reports claim Tottenham have entered the race to sign Adrien Rabiot, but fans are completely split on a move for the PSG midfielder.
According to France Football (via Sport Witness), Spurs have “entered the race” to sign Rabiot, and Mauricio Pochettino sees him as a Mousa Dembele replacement.
While PSG are not expected to face Financial Fair Play sanctions this summer, the French media do expect them to offload one or two first team players, and Rabiot could be one of them.
Dembele is of course expected to leave North London this summer. The Belgian beast is entering the last 12 months of his contract, and it’s probably better for all parties involved to cash in on the fan favourite midfielder now.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255896″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Tottenham’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
Rabiot is a defensive midfielder like Dembele, but they are certainly not identical players. Rabiot is less athletic than the Belgian but far more technically gifted and a truly excellent passer.
The 23 year-old rose through the youth ranks with the French champions, and already has six France caps. He is sort of press resistant in a way, using his incredible composure and coolness on the ball to work his way out of tight situations in midfield.
Valued at £45m by Transfermarkt, the midfielder is reportedly out of contract next summer, so Spurs could get an excellent deal if they move now.
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Fans can’t decide on the links though, with some absolutely loving the idea of signing the 6-cap star, while others don’t think he’s good enough to fill Dembele’s boots.
Either way, you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Alasdair Gold has now dropped some exciting news on Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the opening of the January transfer window this weekend.
The Lowdown: Busy window
We could be set to be a busy window ahead for Spurs as they look to push to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League under Antonio Conte, as outgoings may well be on the agenda as well as players being brought in – Football Insider claimed earlier this month it will be a massive January on both fronts in north London.
Giovani Lo Celso and Joe Rodon are just two names who have been linked with exits from Hotspur Way in recent days, as the Italian manager looks set to trim his squad down first before any incomings arrive.
On the incoming front, the ever-reliable Gold has dropped some interesting insight into Conte and Fabio Paratici’s plans.
The Latest: Positions targeted
Replying to a fan in a Q&A session for Football.London, the journalist has revealed the three positions that the Lilywhites may now target next month:
“The current feeling within the club is that a new left-sided centre-back, a right wing-back and a natural number nine striker will be the potential targets next month.”
The Verdict: Exciting
It is certainly exciting to hear that the North London club could be bringing in as many as three players in the winter window, all in areas of the pitch that they could do with strengthening.
Ben Davies has been filling in at left centre-back for Conte given that he is left-footed, but he is a left-back by trade, and so bringing in a new central defender for the left side would certainly feel more natural.
While the signing of Emerson Royal has not been a bad one, as he is currently ranked as THFC’s sixth-best player so far this season by WhoScored, Matt Doherty, who ranks 15th in the squad, has been far less impressive, and so better cover would be welcomed at right wing-back.
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Despite Harry Kane’s recent surge of goals, he has still only managed four in the Premier League so far, and so another number nine is needed in order to ease the pressure off of him.
Nonetheless, three new signings could well be what it takes to get Tottenham into the top four come the end of the campaign.
In other news, find out who Fabio Paratici could now table a bid for here!
Jose Mourinho is set to be appointed the new coach of Real Madrid after the Spanish club sacked Manuel Pellegrini on Wednesday evening.
Pellegrini, who had only been in the hot-seat at the Santiago Bernabeu for one year, was widely expected to be axed after failing to land any silverware at the end of a season of huge investment in the Madrid squad.
Real lost out to Barcelona in the race for the Spanish title and saw their hopes of a dream Champions League final success at their Bernabeu home ended by a last 16 defeat to Lyon.
Meanwhile, Mourinho guided Internazionale to a first European crown in over 40 years and also a domestic double.
The Portuguese coach was strongly linked with the Madrid job 12 months ago but opted to stay in Milan for a second season.
However, all that remains is for the former FC Porto and Chelsea boss to reach a contractual agreement with Inter before he can be confirmed as the new coach of Real.
"I am willing to recognise that I have committed some errors, (but) at this moment I am absolutely convinced the incorporation of Mourinho, who is one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best, is an opportunity Madrid, who fight permanently for excellence, couldn't let pass by," said club president Florentino Perez.
"There is nobody on the board who has given an opinion against the signing of Jose Mourinho.
"On the contrary, they are enthusiastic at being able to recruit one of the best coaches in the world."
Former president Perez returned to office at the Bernabeu last summer and immediately sanctioned a summer of big-spending which brought players of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso to the club.
"The change of coach is always difficult, but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a new impulse to our project," he added.
"A year ago we there was a huge and unprecedented effort to configure and put together a squad capable of aspiring to the highest level.
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"We have advanced a lot, but we still have a lot of ground to cover.
"This club demands the maximum and is always in search of excellence.
"Winning and being leaders in Europe has always been the desire of our members and fans, and therefore, that's the objective of this board."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Italian football website Tuttomercato.com have reported that Manchester City are weighing up a bid for Roma’s French centre-back Philippe Mexès, but what is the Citizens’ recent obsession with recruiting defenders?
This summer they have already signed Hamburg’s German defender Jerome Boateng for a fee of around £10.3million. Last summer they were involved in a drawn out saga for Joleon Lescott for a reported £22million from Everton.
Aside from those two they have Nedum Onuoha, Micah Richards, Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany on the books at Eastlands and all of them can play as a centre half.
Why do they need all these defender? Surely they must think that some of the above are not up to it, or are they just being foolish with their money?
Mexes, 28, is certainly a player who comes with a reputation and his Roma side narrowly missed out on the Serie A title after finishing just two points behind treble winning Inter Milan. However, this past season Mexes has not been a regular starter as Claudio Ranieri has preferred Juan and Nicolas Burdisso as a central defensive partnership.
The French defender also failed to make Raymond Domenech’s 23-man France squad for the World Cup in South Africa…maybe he was born under the wrong star sign, but more likely it had something to do with the fact Domenech had a falling out with the player.
Despite all that his club manager Ranieri believes that he is the best French defender and has been unlucky with injuries over the 2009/10 season:
“Mexes is a first-choice player in every way.
“Unfortunately, he’s missed some matches due to injury and not because of my decisions.
“For me he’s the best French central defender. But, at the moment, Juan and Burdisso are just above him.”
Mexes has been at Roma since 2004 and has insisted that he does not wish to leave. But it is doubtful whether he would resist a big money move to Manchester City. It could also be a good move for Roberto Mancini’s club as the mooted transfer fee is believed to be just over £8million, which could be a bargain.
However, with so many players on the Sky Blues’ books already the arrival of Boateng and perhaps another defender could mean that the likes of Onuoha and Richards may be deemed surplus to requirements.
A few seasons ago Richards (a target for Harry Redknapp’s Totteham) was built up as one of the best young defensive talents in the Premier League, but you could argue that his growth has been stunted at City and it could be good for him to leave the club as he is still only 21 years of age. Also, from talking to a few posters on the BBC’s 606 it would seem as if he has come under some stick from his own fans, who argue that the player it lazy and has been found out.
As for Mexes, if Mancini wants to bring the player to Eastlands he may face some stiff competition as Arsenal and Serie A’s AC Milan are also tracking the player and are rumoured to be interested in signing the player.
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Do the Manchester City fans think that Mexes would be a wise move? Do the club need a defensive clearout?
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England captain Steven Gerrard is hoping to play a more advanced role against Algeria in Friday's make-or-break World Cup encounter.
Gerrard believes the return of a fit-again Gareth Barry to the anchor role in midfield from the side that drew 1-1 with the United States in their Group C opener last week will give him more licence to attack.
"I should imagine I will play in a more forward and attacking role and that suits me," said the Liverpool midfielder.
"It's great to have Gareth back and available, hopefully he'll provide protection for the two centre-halves."
Head coach Fabio Capello has broken with tradition to confirm that Barry will start against Algeria after shaking off an ankle injury but has kept the rest of his plans under wraps.
Reports claim that he will stick with Robert Green despite the goalkeeper's costly error against the US.
Jermain Defoe could partner Wayne Rooney in attack in place of Emile Heskey.
"I have made up my mind, but I will announce the team on Friday and the players will find out on Friday," said Capello when asked about his potential line-up for the game in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, Capello is also keen to dismiss suggestions that Algeria are the weakest team in the group following their opening defeat to Slovenia.
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"They have scored a lot of goals. Algeria are dangerous at free-kicks and corners. Also on counter-attack they play very well," he explained.
"I saw all the games that have been played. Not one game is easy. It will be a big mistake to think this game will be easy."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
West Ham United manager Avram Grant has promised the club's fans that there will be several more new faces at the club before the season starts in less than three weeks' time.
Despite being linked with a host of big names this summer, the only new arrivals at Upton Park since the end of last season have been Pablo Barrera, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Frederic Piqiuonne.
The Hammers have looked good in pre-season so far, securing 2-0 and 1-0 victories against Borussia Monchengladbach and Panathinaikos respectively, with Grant saying:"It was a very good week.
"The boys trained very hard, they showed a good attitude. Most of the training was of a high intensity which is not easy and they did it very well.
"We also reached our targets in the games. The first was to be familiar to the system that we are going to play this season. Second was we wanted to improve our fitness as we prepare for the league. Everything went well.
"We want to create a structure that can develop and improve the team all the time. We don't have the money of the top four, or top seven as it has become, but we can be a very good team with a vision for the next years.
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"It is encouraging. The squad is not complete yet, we told the players we want to make the squad as strong as we can. Even if the club are limited with money, because we are in debt, we know what we are doing and we know we want to do.
"The owners are trying to give their best for the team so we will buy or loan a few more players. Even if I don't like loans so much – most players here will be players for the long term."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
It has been reported in the news today that Mario Balotelli’s proposed move from Inter Milan to Manchester City has hit the rocks over his astronomical wage demands. Rumour has it that young Balotelli, despite being deemed surplus to requirements for Italy at the World Cup and struggling to hold down a regular starting place at Inter, believes that he is worth a staggering £180,000 a week.
Balotelli has bags of potential, but are City right to be apprehensive? Here we take a look at some other stars who have promised the world as youngsters and failed to deliver…
Francis Jeffers
The Promise
When Jeffers broke into the Everton team just before his 17th birthday, he was hailed as a natural ‘fox in the box’ who would be an international star of the future and his reputation was further enhanced when he became the England under-21 joint record goalscorer, sharing the record with a certain Alan Shearer. A record at club level of almost a goal in every two games prompted Arsenal to pay over £8 million for the then 20-year-old in 2001 and Arsene Wenger described him ‘obsessed with scoring goals’.
The Disappointment
Jeffers’ Arsenal career was nothing short of a disaster, and after less than 30 appearances in three years at the Gunners and a disastrous loan spell back at Everton, he was shown the door. The bright young thing had faded to the point of invisibility. After a series of unsuccessful transfers and loan spells Jeffers, still just 29, recently had a trial at newly-promoted Blackpool after being released by Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored just 5 goals in 3 years, this summer. He has only scored 12 senior goals since 2004.
Jermaine Pennant
The Promise
By the time Jermaine Pennant was 14, he was already a member of the Notts County under-18 team and was attracting admiring glances from teams across Britain. It was no real surprise, then, that in 1999, when Pennant was 15, he was signed by Arsenal. The fee was £2 million, then a record for a trainee. Pennant became Arsenal’s youngest ever player and was soon impressing the fans with his performances in the League Cup, where he demonstrated his pace and trickery. At 16, he was already a huge name in the world of British football and was seen as a certainty for future international honours.
The Disappointment
Pennant became homesick upon joining Arsenal, and his development waned as a result. Despite scoring a hattrick on his league debut for the Gunners in 2002, Pennant was unable to secure a regular place. He moved to Birmingham, where his career hit controversy as he was forced to play with an electronic tag due to a drink driving conviction. After an inconsistent spell at Liverpool, Pennant turned down a move to Real Madrid and instead joined Portsmouth, causing many to question his ambition. In 2009 he did move to Spain, with Real Zaragoza. Now 27, Pennant has become one of English football’s forgotten men. Despite seeming keen on a move back to England, he is yet to find a suitor, and a full international cap still eludes him.
Cherno Samba
The Promise
At the turn of the millennium, Gambia-born Cherno Samba was once seen as the next big thing in English football. His father was a Gambian international, and when the Samba family moved to London, Cherno took the local football scene by storm. He scored 132 goals in 32 games in his under-14 season, and it was Millwall who elected to take a chance on the pacy frontman, signing him for their academy. Samba’s phenomenal goalscoring exploits continued, and before long the Premier League’s big boys became interested, with Liverpool having a £2 million bid turned down for the teenager before he had even made a first team appearance. He also represented England at every level from under-15s to under-20s. The world, it seemed, was at Samba’ prolific little feet. Millwall offered him a three year contract which he signed in 2002, on his 17th birthday.
The Disappointment
For some reason, Samba never made the grade at Millwall. He saw out his contract at the club, but never made an appearance for the first team. A move to Spain followed, and journeyman Samba has now played for seven clubs despite still being just 25. His goalscoring exploits haven’t continued however, and Malaga remains the only team that he has ever scored ten goals for at senior level. A potential move to Portsmouth in 2009 was hampered by the club’s transfer embargo, and he recently signed for Panetolikos in the Greek second tier.
Freddy Adu
The Promise
There was only one name on everyone’s lips before the 2004 MLS SuperDraft: Freddy Adu. The 14-year-old was drafted as the first pick by DC United, and became the youngest US athlete in 100 years to sign a professional contract. His development continued, and in 2005 he was nominated for the FIFPRO World Young Player of the Year award. Adu had a two week trial with Manchester United in 2006, and became the youngest ever USA international when he came on as a substitute against Canada in the same year. Suddenly, the whole world knew about the Ghanaian-born forward, and it seemed only a matter of time before he made the step into a top European league. In 2007, he agreed a move to Benfica for $2 million.
The Disappointment
Adu never really settled into the Portuguese game, and after failing to hold down a first team place at Benfica, was twice sent on loan, to Monaco and Belenenses, where he also failed to make an impact. A third loan spell in Greece has proved more successful, but at 21 Adu has lost his place in the USA squad and appears to be some way off achieving the brilliance that his early potential suggested. Question marks over his real age have only added to Adu’s turmoil.
Nii Lamptey
The Promise
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When you’re described as the next Pelé, you’re good. When the praise comes from the great man himself, you’re very special. In 1991, midfielder Nii Lamptey inspired Ghana to victory in the FIFA Under 17 World Cup, claiming the Golden Ball in a competition that included Juan Veron and Alessandro Del Piero. Lamptey was hardly an unknown before the tournament. When he signed for Anderlecht as a 15-year-old, Belgian age-limit rules were changed to allow him to appear in the first team at 16 and it wasn’t long before he earned a glamorous move to PSV Eindhoven. Again he was the star performer, leaving fans and pundits awestruck, despite the fact that he was just 19 years old.
The Disappointment
Lamptey seemed happy at PSV, but in the summer of 1994 his agent forced through a move to Ron Atkinson’s Aston Villa, seemingly ignoring what was good for Lamptey’s career but making himself a small fortune. Expectation was high but Lamptey disappointed in England. He followed Atkinson to Coventry after one season but his career nosedived and never fully recovered. He left for Italy after one season, but the death of his child, as well as a racism-plagued spell in Germany, left Lamptey psychologically damaged, and he fell short of the potential he had as a youngster. Currently assistant manager of Sekondi Eleven Wise in the Ghanaian top flight.
Only time will tell if Balotelli will make the grade or if, like so many before him he will fade and be forever thought of as a player who never fulfilled his potential.
What do you guys think? Is Balotelli the next Cristiano Ronaldo or will he fail to shine like his countryman Nii Lamptey?
The transfer window always reminds me of Christmas. Full of expectation, excitement and then suddenly it becomes something an anti-climax once it is over. Some are happy with their presents, while others are left seething at the lack of effort that was put in. City fans are undoubtedly happy with their lot this summer, although others are bound to be disappointed.
It has been a relatively quiet transfer window as clubs remain cautious with their transfer spending, given the current climate. Chairman may have had little option but to be prudent, but it doesn’t stop supporters feeling slightly disappointed that a few more gambles haven’t taken place. Surprisingly a lot of managers have actually been sympathetic towards the situation, highlighting the curse of high wages that has made transfer dealings all the more difficult, rather than bemoaning the lack of backing from their club chairman. While others have simply made the best out of the stagnant transfer market, negotiated well and brought in some real bargains.
So how has Arsenal’s transfer window been and have you been happy, or disappointed, by the progress that has been made? Has Arsene Wenger done enough to ensure that Arsenal will be challenging for honours this season?