Tag Futebol

It goes without saying that fans are the heart of any football club. Paul Lambert’s declaration that the support of Aston Villa’s loyal disciples matched the passion of Champions League semi-finalists Borussia Dortmund is high praise indeed. Now if Lambert could get his side playing like Dortmund the threat of relegation would soon cease. With their Premier League status under serious threat the Midlands side have improved markedly to win three of their last six games to give themselves a fighting chance of survival. Results fell kindly for them at the weekend and victory over Sunderland would lift them five points above 18th placed Wigan and potentially above beleaguered Newcastle if they netted five or more. The race is most definitely on.

The Black Cats, meanwhile, are searching for a third consecutive win under new head coach Paolo Di Canio that would ensure they’ll be playing top-flight football next season. The Italian has triggered a stunning revival in his first month on Wearside taking six points from a possible nine, as well as guiding the Black Cats to a stunning Tyne-Wear derby victory a fortnight ago. With that much sought-after 40-point mark in their sights Di Canio and his player can’t afford to let up if they’re to reach it before time runs out.

Team News 

Paul Lambert goes into the game with no fresh injury concerns with Gabriel Agbonlahor fully fit after he completed 90 minutes against Manchester United last week following a groin injury.

Sunderland have Craig Gardner back to face his former club after the midfielder completed a two-match ban. Phil Bardsley (ankle) is a doubt, while Connor Wickham misses out with a calf problem.

What the managers said…

“I’m not sure because you don’t know how other results go. But you won’t be far away from it. ‘It’s in our own hands, that’s the good thing. It would be different if we had to rely on other people but we don’t. You look after your own, and if we do that then we’ll see what happens. I don’t think you can (get too caught up in the permutations), then you start to deflect from what you want to do yourself.” Paul Lambert isn’t sure 40-points will be enugh for Aston Villa to survive (Daily Mail)

“It was a strange moment, a strange situation in time those three days [after becoming Sunderland manager. But he rang me and backed me all the way. He said, ‘Proceed because you have complete support from the board’. From there, I felt even more energy, I was even more focused and even more determined to get the best out of the team, and I believed that no matter what the split with fans, I would look to make them happy as quickly as I could.” Paolo Di Canio admits he feared the immediate sack after his political beliefs overshadowed his appointment at Sunderland (BBC Sport)

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Pre-match Statistic: Expect a feisty match at Villa Park! There have been five red cards in the last eight Premier League square ups between Villa and Sunderland.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Sunderland

Sunday was a day of celebration for Manchester City as they clinched the Premier League title without stepping foot on the pitch.

Pep Guardiola’s side edged closer to glory the previous day thanks to a 3-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

Ironically, it was their neighbours Manchester United who ensured that the English crown was sent to the Etihad Stadium as Jose Mourinho’s men suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-table West Bromwich Albion.

The result meant that City’s 16-point lead at the top of the table is unattainable, and they can relax – to an extent – with five games left to play.

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The title win banishes the disappointment of the previous week in which they were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Liverpool and were beaten by United on home soil.

City have now won a third Premier League title in seven seasons, and understandably all those connected with the club have joined in with the celebrations, including their former right-back Pablo Zabaleta.

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The Argentine ended his eight-and-a-half-year spell at City last year to join West Ham United, but he took time on Sunday to congratulate his former club.

As expected, City fans were quick to praise the 33-year-old.

With the summer transfer window quickly approaching, one of the most in-demand players in Europe will be Lyon and France striker Alexandre Lacazette.

The sprightly forward has been on the collective radar for a number of seasons but has catapulted himself to the next level in 2014-15 with superb feats of goalscoring in Ligue 1.

As such, a host of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for him at the end of the current campaign, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham.

But, with these three heavyweights of English football potentially set to move for Lacazette, who needs him more?

Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that his side have not been as clinical in the final third this season, with Luis Suarez’s departure and injury to Daniel Sturridge blunting the Reds as an attacking force.

The Merseysiders look almost certain to sign a centre forward this summer as a result, with Lacazette an excellent option for them.

Rodgers prefers young, technically able and mobile players, with the France international firmly fitting the bill.

His pace offers a threat in-behind opposition defences, while his partnerships with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling would be an ominous proposition.

Man United

United have announced the first of what is expected to be a glut of summer signings, with Memphis Depay set for a switch to Old Trafford.

Despite the Dutch starlet’s arrival, the Red Devils are expected to still be in the market for a new centre forward to bolster Louis van Gaal’s options.

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With Radamel Falcao failing this season and Robin van Persie getting older, an injection of youth will surely reinvigorate the side.

A partnership with Wayne Rooney would be an enticing prospect, but is remains to be seen whether Lacazette is a big enough name for United.

Tottenham

The North Londoners have been overly dependent on homegrown hero Harry Kane for goals this season, with back-up options to the England international non-existent.

As such, Spurs are likely to bolster their ranks with a centre forward also, but it is hard to know whether this will be to accompany Kane or act as an alternative to him.

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Lacazette’s signing would be a real statement of intent by the White Hart Lane side but tactically Mauricio Pochettino would need to think it through.

Playing the strike pairing together would require a change in formation from the club’s usual 4-2-3-1 system, or dropping Kane into the number ten role – which could limit his ability to hit the back of the net and put more emphasis on him to create.

Verdict

Lacazette looks set to be a real star for years to come and is clearly ready for a move to the Premier League.

Although all three clubs would benefit from his acquisition this summer, Liverpool are crying out for a centre forward of his ilk and would be best advised to do whatever it takes to bring him to Anfield.

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Ricky van Wolfswinkel claims his summer move to Norwich is ‘a dream’ and he is looking to make ‘great things happen’ at the club.

The 24-year-old Dutch hitman will complete his switch to Carrow Road on July 1 after the Canaries agreed an undisclosed fee with Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon and tied him down to a four-year deal at the end of last week.

Van Wolfswinkel has an impressive career goals tally of 82 in 188 appearances for Vitesse Arnhem, FC Utrecht and Sporting, and he is aiming to bring that to England and help Norwich progress up the Premier League in what will be their third season in the top flight next term.

He told the club’s official website: “It’s really an exciting time. I’m happy to be joining Norwich City and I’m looking forward to playing for the club. It has always been a dream of mine to play in England and in the Premier League and I’m even more excited that I can hopefully fulfil that dream at such a great club like Norwich City.

“This is the sort of club I need at this moment in my career. This is a club with great ambitions to become the team that they have been in the past in the top flight. Joining Norwich City is the perfect next step in my career.

“It’s a realistic club with great people both at the club and in the city. Next year will hopefully be a year to improve. We want to do even better than the team has done this year. We need to work extra hard to make that happen, and if we do that, then a team and a club like Norwich can make great things happen.”

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Harry Kane has been making headlines throughout the season for Tottenham Hotspur due to his scintillating performances in front of goal.This week, though, the 24-year-old has been at the centre of some negative attention, mainly from rival supporters, regarding his goal tally.At the weekend, Christian Eriksen was credited with both goals in Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Stoke City, but Kane felt that he deserved the winner.The England international insisted that he got a touch on the ball en route to goal, and his club backed him by launching an appeal to the Premier League’s Goal Accreditation Panel.[ad_pod ]After reviewing the footage,Âan official statement from the league confirmed that Eriksen’s goal has been awarded to Kane, which means that his tally in the top flight has risen to 25, which is four adrift of Golden Boot leader Mohamed Salah.Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer took notice of the controversial decision as it means that the Tottenham hitman is edging closer to the former striker’s Premier League record.Shearer currently holds the title of all-time leading goalscorer in the division with 260 to his name, while Kane sits on 103.The ex-England international seemed rather amused by the whole situation.

Liverpool hero John Aldridge is not at all shocked that his old team are looking to retain the services of veteran defender Kolo Toure, who is still a vital member of the Reds’ squad.

The 33-year-old centre-back arrived from Manchester City on a free transfer at the start of last season, in a move that surprised many fans of the Merseyside giants.

But despite his advancing years, Toure has been an important first-team player for Brendan Rodgers, slotting into the club’s backline on a number of occasions to provide a commanding presence.

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Even though he was absent for much of the start of 2015 – he was helping the Ivory Coast to AFCON glory – Toure has made 10 Premier League outings, but with his contract due to expire at the end of the current campaign, his time at Anfield has been in doubt.

The player himself recently revealed that negotiations with Liverpool are underway, and ‘Aldo’ says that keeping the former league champion – he won the tile with both Arsenal and Man City – would be wise:

“I’m not surprised that Liverpool want Kolo Toure to sign a 12-month contract extension.” He wrote in the Liverpool Echo.

“All I ever hear about Toure is positive. He’s a humble man who loves Liverpool and is great in the dressing room.

“Wherever he’s been at, the fans have loved him. Man City fans were singing his name at Anfield the other week – that tells you everything you need to know about the fella.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for him. Whenever he’s come on this season he hasn’t let us down and he’s a tremendous ambassador for the club.

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“The question for Toure is does he want to sit on the bench or go elsewhere and play regularly?”

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Ian Holloway’s Crystal Palace host Leeds today in search of a third successive win and their fifth in a row at home.

A win for the hosts could lift them in to the automatic promotion places if other results are kind to them and doing just that will be the perfect birtday present for Holloway, who celebrates his 50th next week.

Warnock’s Leeds can go within three points of a play-off place with a win, but they haven’t won any of their previous eight games on their travels.

Here’s how they’ll line-up at Selhurst Park:

Crystal Palace:  Speroni; Dikgacoi, Ramage, Delaney, Parr; Williams, Jedinak (c); Zaha, Dobbie, Bolasie; Murray.

Subs: Price, Richards, Butterfield, Phillips, Wilbraham, Moxey, Moritz.

Leeds United: Kenny Byram Lees Peltier Warnock Green Tonge Norris Varney Morison McCormack.

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Subs:  Pearce, Ashdown, White, Brown, Habibou, Hall, Austin

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Seven years is an incredibly long time in football – Chelsea alone have churned through seven different managers – and yet, it’s still amazing how opinions can so drastically change.

Back in 2011, after qualifying for it with Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Redknapp dubbed the Europa League ‘a killer’, a perpetual burden on Premier League campaigns with little obvious reward – except for a trophy that no English team had any genuine desire to win.

In some senses, that is still true. Just as Fulham in 2009/10, Newcastle in 2012/13 and Everton this season discovered that involvement in Europa League nearly always results in a lower Premier League placing than the term previous, the English heavyweights to take the competition seriously in recent years have been forced to sacrifice domestic standards as well.

But the key word there is ‘seriously’ – an adverb that didn’t apply to the approach of most major Premier League clubs towards the competition back when Redknapp was still in charge at White Hart Lane. Two key factors, though, have changed all that; the decision to make Champions League qualification part of the prize for winning the Europa League and the expansion of the Premier League’s summit from a top four to a top six.

Along the way, the Europa League has transformed from a killer to a saviour for Premier League clubs and their managers – starting with Chelsea in 2013. Rafa Benitez’s much-maligned interim spell, which climaxed in a win over Benfica in the Europa League final, paved the way for Jose Mourinho to return to the club he’s most synonymous with.

Two years later, Chelsea lifted the Premier League title for the third time under the Portuguese – but would he have come back to the west London club that summer, upon leaving Real Madrid, without Champions League football? It would have been a significant step down for the departing Bernabeu boss, and thus represents a moment when the Blues’ history since could have taken a much different path.

Last season, it was Mourinho’s turn to utilise the Europa League as his saving grace; while the now-Manchester United boss may have just about survived into this term despite finishing sixth, winning the Europa League to earn reentry into Europe’s top tournament ensured a positive end note to an otherwise underwhelming first season in charge, and helped restore a reputation that had reached an all-time low after his horrific final campaign at Chelsea.

One can only speculate what the strength of Mourinho’s position would have been going into this season had United not won the Europa League, and how that uncertainty may have affected the start of the Red Devils’  2017/18 campaign. In any case, as it did last year, another season in the Europa League would have hindered United’s hopes of the second-place finish they’re on course to claim this season. That makes the contract extension Mourinho signed in January seem far less likely.

Now, as they prepare to host CSKA Moscow, it’s Arsenal who find themselves in desperate need of Europa League success. Recent Emirates Stadium attendances tell everything you need to know about the level of apathy at the north London club right now, and that will only continue into next season should the Gunners once again miss out on Champions League football.

That’s not to say qualification will reverse the tide of disillusionment amongst Arsenal support, but lifting silverware this season and putting themselves back in Europe’s top competition will inject some optimism back into the club – at least momentarily.

And for all we know, it could be what preserves Arsene Wenger’s tenure too. While most expect the Frenchman to still be in charge next season regardless, another year out of the Champions League might just convince Arsenal’s inactive board that it’s time for a change in direction. Wenger winning the Europa League though, might oblige them to see out the final year of his contract.

Of course, it’s impossible to know what would have been had Chelsea and United not won the Europa League, just as it will be impossible to speculate the alternative consequences should Arsenal win or fail to win this season’s competition.

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But the facts speak for themselves: between 2001 and 2012, no English team won Europe’s second tournament and just two English teams reached the final, neither of whom – Fulham and Middlesbrough – are still in the Premier League. In the last five years, two English teams have won the Europa League, another has reached the final, and all three will finish inside the Premier League’s top five this season.

Arsenal’s season rests on becoming the fourth member of this season’s top six to reach the final, and making it three winners in six years for the Premier League.

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Manchester City’s need for a centre-back to partner captain Vincent Kompany hasn’t been solved for over two years. Recent defensive performances in the Premier League reinforce the need for another top quality central defender in the side.

Martin Demichelis was signed after Joleon Lescott’s decline in 2013, and although he has impressed at times, he still looks short of being a top defender for City. Just under £32 million was spent on 23-year-old French centre-back Eliaquim Mangala from Porto in the summer but he too has had a tough time in adjusting to life in the Premier League.

With Matija Nastasic being loaned out to Schalke and Dedryck Boyata someway off being good enough for Man City, the need for a new central defender is clear. Here are FOUR centre backs that City should look to bring in:

Mehdi Benatia

The 27-year-old Moroccan central defender was linked with a move to Man City in the summer and they nearly signed him before Bayern Munich snapped him up for around £20 million from Roma. The Moroccan international has 34 caps for his Country and is someone that has been on City’s radar for a while.

Limited to just eight league appearances so far for Munich, a move away wouldn’t be a bad choice, especially as he would be guaranteed first team football at the Etihad. Benatia is an extremely efficient defender who is very strong and reliable in the heart of defence. A born leader and winner, he is a similar defender to Vincent Kompany which would allow both players to form a partnership that can elevate City to the next level.

Mats Hummels

The Express have reported that City retain an interest in signing Hummels despite the 26-year-old defender being linked heavily with a move to the other side of Manchester. With Borussia Dortmund struggling in the Bundesliga, a move away from the club is seemingly most probably in the summer.

Dortmund’s captain was extremely impressive in Germany’s World Cup triumph, which led him to being shortlisted for the player of the tournament award. Hummels is another with great leadership qualities and excellent positioning attributes that make him a world-class central defender. City will have to battle bitter rivals Man United to secure his signature, but he would be worth every penny of City’s limitless pot of gold.

Thiago Silva

Brazilian international Thiago Silva might now be 30 but has proven himself to be one of the best centre-backs in World football. Silva was an excellent servant to AC Milan and has performed well since his move to PSG in 2012. At the World Cup in Brazil, Silva showed what an influential and world-class defender he was when captaining the host nation.

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Inspired performances helped Brazil make it to the semi-finals where Silva missed the demolition to Germany through suspension. The Germany match demonstrated what a key player Thiago Silva is and how much they missed his leadership qualities. Silva would be a very expensive signing which makes Man City one of the few teams that can lure him away from Paris.

Gerard Pique

Former Man United defender Gerard Pique has been a fantastic addition to Barcelona since joining the Spanish giants in 2008. He was never given a fair chance at United and was sold for a bargain price of £4 million. The 27-year-old made nearly 300 appearences at Barcelona and has won two Champions League titles with the side.

He also played a key part in Spain’s World Cup success in 2010 and their Euro 2012 triumph. A solid defender with tremendous ball playing qualities, it has been suggested in the Daily Start that Pique could be available for as little as £24million, which is a great price for a defender of his quality. Pique would be the perfect complement for Kompany in defence and elevate Manchester City to another level.

Emanuel Pogatetz is relishing the chance to help West Ham during the after half of the season, after joining on loan from Wolfsburg.

The Austrian, who previously played for Middlesbrough, has been drafted in by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce to strengthen his defensive unit.

Injuries to key members of his backline have revealed a lack of depth in the Upton Park-based outfit’s squad, particularly in the left-back position.

A number of names, such as Stephen Warnock and Martin Olsson, have been linked with moves to East London, but Allardyce has finally settled on Pogatetz.

The 30-year-old is equally adept at centre-back or left full-back, and should ease the burden on some of the club’s current defensive members.

Pogatetz, who has the nickname ‘mad dog’, is delighted to have joined West Ham, and is looking forward to the rest of the season:

“I feel very good to be here and I am very excited about playing for West Ham,” he told the club’s official website.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to play for the club and help it get good results. I will be doing my best to play well and hope I can play a part in the club achieving the targets for this season.

“First of all when I heard that West Ham wanted me, I thought it was a club I wanted to play for because they are a very traditional club, with passionate supporters.”

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Having spent five seasons in England with Middlesbrough, Pogatetz is also happy to be returning to the Premier League:

“It was good for to have the opportunity to come back and play in England. This is the football I want to play and I have missed playing here, I want to show what I am still capable of after five years playing in Middlesbrough.”

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