Another international week and yet another club v country row as Wales and Tottenham sling mud over each over the responsibility of Gareth Bale’s injury. It appears another one is the offing as Stuart Pearce is set to upset both Wenger and Dalglish by picking Wilshere and Carroll for the summer tournament.
In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories that includes Nani concerned by his playing position; Wenger tried to sign Reina, while Bernstein urges FA not to resist change.
*
Modric – Spurs are superior – Sky Sports
Nani: I am not free to express myself – Guardian
Wenger tried like mad to sign Reina last summer – Daily Mail
Welsh whinging has Spurs seething – Mirror
Pearce set to anger Wenger and Dalglish – Guardian
Spurs keep their iron Will – Sun
Liverpool join chase for Roma defender – Mirror
The eight disgruntled Aston Villa stars in revolt over Houllier’s rules – Daily Mail
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Bernstein urges FA not to resist change – Guardian
Neuer: I’ll never play for Manchester United – Mirror
South Korea thumped Honduras 4-0 in Friday’s friendly action, while China and New Zealand were forced to share the spoils.In front of 30,000 fans in Seoul, the South Koreans produced a professional performance to see off their Central American opponents with ease.
Playing for the first time in South Korea this year, Cho Kwang-Rae’s side took the lead after 28 minutes when Lee Jung-Soo found the back of the net.
The hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kim Jung-Woo made the most of good build-up play from the country’s new captain, Park Chu-Young, and fired his shot past Honduras shot-stopper Noel Valladares.
With the game petering out, the hosts added more polish to the scoreboard with goals inside the last 10 minutes from Park and Lee Keun-Ho.
New Zealand came from behind to grab a 1-1 draw against China at the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.
The All Whites, who impressed at the 2010 World Cup, made a horror start when an own goal from Andrew Boyens gave China the lead after just two minutes.
Du Wei’s header required a save from Glen Moss but his parry struck Boyens and hit the back of the net to give the hosts the early initiative.
But the equaliser came when Michael McGlinchey launched a shot from distance that beat substitute goalkeeper Cheng Yuelei seven minutes into the second half.
In other results, Estonia shocked Uruguay 2-0 courtesy of goals from Konstantin Vassiljev and Vjatseslav Zahovaiko, Montenegro overcame Uzbekistan thanks to a Simon Vukcevic strike and Lithuania defeated visiting Poland 2-0 with Saulius Mikoliunas and Edgaras Cesnauskis getting on the scoresheet.
Matches between Kuwait and Jordan and Qatar and Tunisia were postponed.
Given the disastrous result last night in the Champions League, coupled with the recent poor form in domestic competition, it must be hard for a Spurs fan to be anything but awashed with bitterness. I, for one, cannot bear to read any more about the fashion in which we went down to Real Madrid. Instead, I wish to look forward to the summer and examine Tottenham’s previous transfer policy under Harry Redknapp. Let us turn our attentions to the type of player Tottenham need.
Despite being linked with the most exotic sounding players from all parts of the world, under Redknapp, Tottenham have predominantly bought players from within the Premiership. Unless I’m mistaken, other than Sandro, Van der Vaart, Khumalo and Pavlyuchenko, Tottenham have bought only players from within English football in the last three years.
Tottenham have picked up some bargains in doing this. Gallas on a free transfer, Kranjcar for £2m and Pienaar for £2m are just a few. You can add names like Bentley, Kaboul, Bassong, Palacios and Corluka to that list of players bought from other English clubs. But as well as signing proven Premier League talent, Tottenham have also invested in some of the best young talent in the country. Firstly in Gareth Bale and then in Kyle Walker, there are also a handful of good Tottenham prospects on loan around the country. Both types of player here, the young buck and the experienced player, represent good buys.
This has served Tottenham well in transforming them from a club at the foot of the Premier League to a fourth placed finish last year. But, if they are going to push on and make the feat of finishing in the top four a habit, do they need to adjust this transfer policy?
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A player of a similar standard to Van der Vaart is the kind of quality Tottenham need to bring in. But this was a freak transfer, a player of this quality is not going to be available for £8m every year. If he had not become available on transfer deadline day, Tottenham would not have even begun to think about trying to sign him. Tottenham need to be more proactive in looking for players and not wait to be offered them on the last day of the transfer window.
A player like Pienaar does represent good value, but he is hardly a player to take Tottenham to the next level. Kranjcar too, is a good player but he is not going to reach his full potential, playing week-in, week-out, at Tottenham. Additionally, rather than paying more money for foreign players like Bassong (£8m) and Palacios (£12m) from other Premier League clubs, shouldn’t Tottenham look to bring them in direct from abroad? This would see the squad continue to develop as it has done, but at a fraction of the price.
If Tottenham are going to establish themselves as regular top four finishers, Daniel Levy is going to have to bite the bullet and spend large sums on quality players. More money will be available if Tottenham use more imagination, Newcastle bought Bassong from Metz for £500,000. Fair enough, going abroad involves risk, Pavluychenko has not exactly been brilliant, but I think that Spurs are now at a stage where they have to be more imaginative than just buy decent Premiership players.
Tottenham’s signings under Redknapp, have been very much of a club looking to grow. Now the club has grown to achieved its preliminary goal (fourth place), we must use more imagination to ensure that 2010/11 isn’t a flash in the pan, ‘one-off’ season.
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To offer suggestions on signings, disagree or even concur with Joe, you can contact him on twitter.
Manchester United moved a step closer to a Champions League final at Wembley with a convincing 2-0 semi-final first leg win over Schalke.The English powerhouse dominated possession at Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday, and their superior skills were put on show in a fine two-minute period midway through the second half which saw Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney score in quick succession.
United will take their two-goal lead to the second leg next Wednesday at Old Trafford, where they have not lost in all competitions since April last year.
Rooney was infamously sent off at the Veltins Arena when playing for England against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but the 25-year-old put that horror memory to bed when he put through Giggs for the first goal, before scoring himself.
Giggs snuck in behind the Schalke defence to fire a left-foot shot under Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the 67th minute, and less than two minutes later, Rooney received the ball from strike partner Javier Hernandez to deliver a body blow to the Germans at Neuer’s near post.
In the opening 45 minutes, Neuer was a one-man band in keeping out United’s forward attempts, with each of Hernandez, Giggs, Rooney and Park Ji-Sung having chances kept out by the German shot-stopper and Schalke captain.
It is widely expected that Arsenal’s loyal servant Pat Rice will retire from his role as Arsene Wenger’s assistant manager come the end of the 2010/11 campaign, after 15 years as the Frenchman’s right hand man. The two have often represented a cute old married couple that are so in sync with one another that you could easily imagine them finishing each other’s sentences, but sadly, like all good things, they appear to be coming to an end; is there another soul mate out their for Wenger?
Ray Wilkins
A hugely experienced assistant manger with Millwall, England U21 and Chelsea and is respected within the world of football. Wilkins may not be a popular choice with the fans due to his Chelsea connections, but the former Manchester United player has undeniable quality working with the players and fellow staff members. Another sticking point, if Arsenal were to hire Wilkins, is Wenger’s reluctance to bring someone on board whose ‘blood doesn’t run Arsenal.’
David Platt
He is currently assistant manager to Roberto Mancini at the Manchester City ‘revolution’. Platt’s premature career in management unfortunately lacks positives and has been marred by fan disapproval wherever he has gone, with Nottingham Forest blaming the former England international for their eventual fall into the third tier of the English leagues, and his current employers fan base disapproving of his appointment due to his perceived anti-City stance as a pundit. Despite all this, Platt would be adored by the Gunners faithful and without a doubt, with someone like Wenger as a mentor, Platt would progress in leaps and bounds to one day perhaps take over the reigns at the Emirates.
Tony Adams
Has had rather unsuccessful stints as a manager, overseeing Wycombe Wanderers relegation to League Two and then being sacked as Portsmouth manager after only sixteen games, which resulted in only ten points being picked up by Pompey. However, Adams has had various roles up and down the management hierarchy, reserve team manager at Feyenoord and first team trainee coach at Utrecht; no doubt these jobs will have provided great experience for ‘Mr Arsenal’ should he take up the role as Wenger’s assistant manager.
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Steve Bould
Current manager of Arsenal’s U18 youth side, a team that has won two successive titles as well as the ‘double’ last season. Bould’s appointment is the most convenient one as the former Arsenal defender would have been working closely with Wenger within the management set-up already.
Daniel Blazer
This blood does indeed run Arsenal, and with a wealth of experience after having successfully led Arsenal to back-to-back Premier League titles as well as a Champions League victory (on Football Manager), it is surely only a matter of time before Arsene picks up the phone and gives me the call. But if you’re reading, Arsene, I don’t come cheap.
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Who do you think should be Pat Rice’s replacement?
Follow me on Twitter and join in the discussion.
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It is widely expected that Arsenal’s loyal servant Pat Rice will retire from his role as Arsene Wenger’s assistant manager come the end of the 2010/11 campaign, after 15 years as the Frenchman’s right hand man. The two have often represented a cute old married couple that are so in sync with one another that you could easily imagine them finishing each other’s sentences, but sadly, like all good things, they appear to be coming to an end; is there another soul mate out their for Wenger?Ray WilkinsA hugely experienced assistant manger with Millwall, England U21 and Chelsea and is respected within the world of football. Wilkins may not be a popular choice with the fans due to his Chelsea connections, but the former Manchester United player has undeniable quality working with the players and fellow staff members. Another sticking point, if Arsenal were to hire Wilkins, is Wenger’s reluctance to bring someone on board whose ‘blood doesn’t run Arsenal.’David PlattHe is currently assistant manager to Roberto Mancini at the Manchester City ‘revolution’. Platt’s premature career in management unfortunately lacks positives and has been marred by fan disapproval wherever he has gone, with Nottingham Forest blaming the former England international for their eventual fall into the third tier of the English leagues, and his current employers fan base disapproving of his appointment due to his perceived anti-City stance as a pundit. Despite all this, Platt would be adored by the Gunners faithful and without a doubt, with someone like Wenger as a mentor, Platt would progress in leaps and bounds to one day perhaps take over the reigns at the Emirates.|Tony AdamsHas had rather unsuccessful stints as a manager, overseeing Wycombe Wanderers relegation to League Two and then being sacked as Portsmouth manager after only sixteen games, which resulted in only ten points being picked up by Pompey. However, Adams has had various roles up and down the management hierarchy, reserve team manager at Feyenoord and first team trainee coach at Utrecht; no doubt these jobs will have provided great experience for ‘Mr Arsenal’ should he take up the role as Wenger’s assistant manager.Steve BouldCurrent manager of Arsenal’s U18 youth side, a team that has won two successive titles as well as the ‘double’ last season. Bould’s appointment is the most convenient one as the former Arsenal defender would have been working closely with Wenger within the management set-up already.Daniel BlazerThis blood does indeed run Arsenal, and with a wealth of experience after having successfully led Arsenal to back-to-back Premier League titles as well as a Champions League victory (on Football Manager), it is surely only a matter of time before Arsene picks up the phone and gives me the call. But if you’re reading, Arsene, I don’t come cheap.Who do you think should be Pat Rice’s replacement? Follow me on Twitter and join in the discussion.
Eden Hazard ’s Lille team mate Aurelien Chedjou has stated today that the Belgian international has offers from 5 different clubs. The names in question are Real Madrid , Barcelona , Bayern Munich , Arsenal and Liverpool . These are certainly the cream of the crop of Europe’s elite clubs, so how can the Reds compete without the prospect of European football for Hazard next season? Below, I look at the options for Hazard and see which destination is the most likely for the Belgian starlet:
Real Madrid – French legend Zinedine Zidane has tried to persuade the player to move to the Bernabeu, and it looks as if Madrid have heeded Zizou’s advice and have made a bid for the player. From Hazard’s point of view though, he couldn’t go to a worst destination as the likelihood of getting first team football is minimal. Not only do they have Mesut Ozil, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Canales, Pedro Leon, Angel Di Maria, Esteban Granero, Lassana Diarra, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Gago on their books in midfield areas, they have also signed playmaker Nuri Sahin from Borussia Dortmund and Hamit Altintop from Bayern Munich in the last month or so.
Barcelona – Like Madrid, Barca have the same proliferation of midfield players in their ranks. In addition to Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez, Andres Iniesta, Seydou Keita, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Ibrahim Afellay, Jeffren Suarez, Alexander Hleb and Xavi, they are also still interested in purchasing Cesc Fabregas. Hazard will be first choice at Lille in a team playing in the Champions League, why would he sacrifice that for a place on the bench, where like Afellay, he could be sidelined to just five minute cameos?
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Bayern Munich – Probably a more likely switch than to either Real Madrid or Barcelona, the problem for Bayern is that despite being able to offer him a first team place, Hazard has already stated he wants to move to a big league. Bayern are no doubt a big club but is the switch from France to the German’s Bundesliga really a step up in class for Hazard? Franck Ribery made a similar move from Marseille, and managed to get to a Champions League final in the 2009/10 season but Bayern Munich are not the power they once were, and I doubt a move to Germany is really on the cards.
Arsenal – The Gunners seem to be favourites at this point in time for the player’s signature. For one thing Hazard has stated a number of times during the past that he admires how Arsene Wenger develops players and how he enjoys the football that Arsenal play. The additional fact that there is a lot of French speaking players at the club, with a similar culture to him, as well as the fact he could still play in the Champions League means the London club have to be considered the front runners.
Liverpool – So what do the Reds have to offer? The one thing the other four on this list can’t absolutely guarantee- regular first team football. Hazard would always be one of the first players on the team sheet and would be considered a key player in the Reds revival. It remains to be seen however whether such a challenge would intrigue Hazard. He will certainly respect the clubs history but will it have any sort of pull in bringing him to the club? Lille offer Champions League football while the Reds are not in Europe at all next season so it has to be said, something rather personal would have to be the motivation for the youngster to move to Anfield currently.
Read more of David’s articles at Live4Liverpool
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Manchester United sealed a record 19th league title with a hard-fought draw against Blackburn Rovers.Wayne Rooney’s equalising penalty in the 70th minute sparked celebrations among the huge away following at Ewood Park as they grabbed yet another Premier League title.
It was also a momentous occasion for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who finally overhauled the number of titles won by rivals Liverpool, just as he vowed to do when he took the Old Trafford hotseat 25 years ago.
But while it was unfounded joy for the travelling fans, the result leaves Blackburn looking nervously over their shoulder at the wrong end of the table despite a heroic performance against the champions.
Steve Kean’s team now face a potential survival shootout at relegation rivals Wolves on the last day of the season.
A chance came almost straight away for United after Rooney whipped in a superb cross from the right but Nani’s header crashed against the crossbar.
Blackburn gave the Reds a fright in the 18th minute when Chris Samba had the ball in the back of the net but he was penalised by referee Phil Dowd for shoving Nemanja Vidic.
Just two minutes later the hosts took the lead after Tomasz Kuszczack – replacing Edwin van der Sar – came off his line to fend off Brett Emerton’s cross.
But the ball wasn’t cleared and Martin Olsson was able to send a cross to the far post where Emerton put it past the nervous keeper.
Javier Hernandez made a clever turn from 20 yards and fired, but keeper Paul Robinson reached low to make a good save.
Another Kuszczack error could have proved fatal, with the Pole taking too long to clear a back pass, giving David Hoilet the chance to slide in and stab the ball just wide.
Following the break, Ryan Giggs fed a well placed shot through two defenders to Hernandez who was running into the box, but the Mexican couldn’t get it under control.
Manchester United slowly increased the pressure but Blackburn’s defence held out.
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A blistering strike by Nani was deflected off Chris Samba’s chest and when Valencia found Giggs, Phil Jones threw himself in front of the winger’s shot.
At the other end, Olsson made a magnificent climb to head Emerton’s cross but he hit the top of the near post.
But United got the point they needed in the 70th minute when Hernandez chased the ball into the area but Robinson made a late challenge and the striker came crashing down.
After a minute-long consultation with his assistant, Dowd awarded the penalty and Rooney converted the spot-kick to rapturous cheers from the away stand.
The recent news that the Iranian women’s football team are to be banned from competing at the London 2012 Olympics by FIFA should raise questions on what is and what is not acceptable for teams to wear and what are the boundaries in what kind of attire can be worn on the pitch.
Iran were assigned to play Jordan in Amman on Friday 3rd June in a London 2012 Olympic qualifier, but a FIFA organiser called the game off due to their ‘‘hijab’’ style of clothing, as it does not conform to Law 4 – Players’ Equipment, that was laid out by international football’s governing body.
FIFA’s course of action is based on Iran wearing a full-body kit with added headscarf to keep in touch with their religious beliefs. This decision appears to show a lack of consistency on FIFA’s part especially if comments made by Ali Kafashian , head of Iran’s Football Federation, are to be believed. Kafashian, quoted in an Arman newspaper, said, ‘‘the (Iranian) Football Federation had already discussed with FIFA director (Sepp Blatter ) for Iranian women’s participation with full Islamic hijab. We managed to acquire Blatter’s consent on this matter.’’
FIFA have refuted this claim and said that both party’s had agreed in the spring of 2010 that the women’s team were permitted to wearing a cap that covers the head to their hairline, but that would not extend below the ears – in keeping with the Laws of the Game. Maybe it is because of this ‘reassurance’ that Marzieh Akbarabadi , Iran’s official in charge of women’s sports, feels the move is politically motivated.
The FIFA official who inflicted this ban is a Bahraini national and Akbarabadi detects that something else may be on the agenda. He contradicted FIFA’s assertion and said that the team’s kit was ‘‘of the same style that FIFA had approved,’’ but senses that, because of a recent crackdown on Shiite protesters in Iran by the Sunni rulers of Bahrain , the Bahraini official ‘‘took advantage of an international event.’’ After all the recent fuss over Blatter’s re-election – if you can class it an election – as FIFA President, this is all they need, dealing with an issue that is much more than being about football.
In some ways, FIFA could be seen to be doing Iranian women a favour in not letting them play in attire that comes draped in historic and discriminatory connotations; signs of an oppressive regime. Although, this is not them making a stand against these conditions – not according to what they say anyway. Instead, it is them merely sticking to the book. Many people will find the reasons why most Iranian women have to cover themselves up from head to toe as aberrant, due to religious purposes that are based on prejudice (some people say it is connected with religion whilst others state that it’s a ‘cultural’ thing; one that is patriarchal. It could also be deemed that they are both intertwined).
FIFA could be accused of being hypocritical when it comes to their actions because if they, judging by their actions, can respect the beliefs of the rulers in Qatar , a country that was chosen to host the 2022 World Cup despite it being a land where it is illegal to be homosexual, then surely they can respect the beliefs of the Iranian government? You cannot have one rule for someone then another for someone else when they are both behaving in virtually the same manner.
Whatever the reasons are for sides wishing to compete in a particular form of regalia, should the wish to not wear shorts be stamped upon? As long as the competitors compete in their official team colours does it matter? Does wearing a head scarf that is tied tightly to the head, leaving no room for it to obstruct an opposing player’s view, really affect the game that much? It’s not as if they are wearing a clown’s outfit with giant boots and a nose that would completely disrupt the running of play.
If anything, the team wishing to wear tracksuit bottoms could be adversely affecting themselves, so it’s up to them – they’ll reap what they sow. But at the same time, FIFA , as unlikely as it sounds after the recent allegations that the British sports media have bestowed upon them, may want to see a fair playing field and have nothing that could, despite protests to the contrary, stop a side playing to their full potential i.e. the non-covering of legs for a game that requires lots of running. Most football purists, I imagine, will not even contemplate the thought of football’s ‘dress-code’ being changed for fear of it being turned into a ‘sissy’ sport. There should be a limit to what items of clothing one can participate football matches in, but shall we break with tradition and allow teams to wear items such as tracksuit bottoms, long lycra bottoms or even head scarf’s? It’s very much open to debate.
Other instances of kit rebellion
This is not the first case that an aspect of team clothing has caused problems for all concerned. India ’s national football team qualified for the football World Cup for, as of now, the only time in their history. Although this was only due to the fact that three members of their qualifying group – Burma, Indonesia and the Philippines – dropped out, which left India being declared ‘winners’ of the group. At this time, the Indian national side played barefoot, but as this was against FIFA laws, they were prevented from entering the competition for refusing to wear football boots despite competing ‘bootless’ in the 1948 London Olympics two years earlier.
There have been a couple of instances when the Cameroonian national side and its football body have been held to ransom over their style of kit. In 2002, they unveiled a sleeveless shirt that FIFA were none too pleased about, which led to their sponsors Puma having to add a black sleeve to the vest after being threatened by football’s governing body.
Then in 2004, they, and again, Puma, introduced a one-piece kit whereby the shirts and shorts were stitched together. After being warned beforehand that wearing them in an international game would bring punishment, the Indomitable Lions wore them anyway and incurred a six-point deduction that would come into effect from when their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign began.
The Cameroon Football Association were also handed an £86,000 fine by FIFA. This was revoked after Puma took Blatter and co to task and both party’s settled out-of-court. Cameroon also had six-points restored after the initial deduction.
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There was rigorous debate in the season just gone regarding the ‘snoode’, a form of scarf that was beloved of many players during the winter months. The dispute is likely to be over now as players will be abstained from wearing one in official matches from 1st July 2011.
Give me your thoughts.
Read more of Ricky Murray’s articles at This is Futbol
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp says he would be lying if he claimed Luka Modric was happy after being denied a transfer.Croatia international Modric met with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy on Wednesday and was told the club had no intention of letting him join Chelsea or Manchester United.
Tottenham hope their strong stance will ensure prized asset Modric remains in north London, but Redknapp conceded the 25-year-old playmaker was far from satisfied upon his return to pre-season training.
“He’s going to remain here, but there is no point me saying he’s walked in here today and everything is great, he’s happy and he’s going to stay,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
“The kid is a bit confused at the moment and it’s not been easy for him.”
“I’d be telling you lies if I said he’s happy and he doesn’t want to go and play for whoever wants him – I think there are three or four of the top five that want him. But we want to keep him here.”
“The chairman wants to keep him, I want to keep him and we need him if we’re going to progress. We need him and, as he said to me this morning, we need to add to him.”
Redknapp confirmed he and Levy were keen to strengthen the squad prior to Spurs mounting a bid for Champions League qualification.
“We are looking to improve and we need to,” Redknapp said.
“It’s no good people talking about Champions League football if we don’t improve the team, we know that.”
“We have to make way with one or two going first, we are just a little bit overloaded in one or two areas, but if we can do that we will look to bring one or two in.”
“We know what we need and it won’t be for the lack of effort.”
“Daniel always does it, in the end we always spend money here and improve the team and he will do it again this year.”
Transfer speculation can entertain and frustrate in equal measures. In the summer months waiting for the new season to start reading the back pages for the latest rumours of who could be leaving or arriving your club is an enjoyable pastime. But sometimes speculation can cause more trouble than enjoyment for clubs and players.
Tottenham have had a shaky start to the transfer window so far this summer. Intense speculation about the future of Luka Modric has prompted doubts over the futures of their other key players, including Gareth Bale who has been linked with Barcelona. But the latest name to be reportedly heading for the White Hart Lane exit door is Michael Dawson. Dawson wouldn’t be high on a list of the most likely leavers at Spurs, not because of a lack of talent but the Spurs’ skipper seems like a settled and loyal member of their squad.
Reports emerged on Wednesday that Dawson was in a dispute with Spurs over his contract but the defender has immediately refuted the claims. Unfortunately for Spurs they are one of the clubs at the centre of so much speculation and this has lead to the obvious and lazy rumours that everyone from the kit man to the captain is considering their future. According to the media there is currently a domino effect of discontent in the Spurs’ dressing room.
But Spurs are in no way the only club affected by speculation. Back in October last year Liverpool owner John Henry made a statement on the Liverpool website labeling stories about their key players possibly leaving as “destructive and unwarranted”. That statement came after speculation over the future of Pepe Reina. Henry seemed willing to ignore nuisance rumours and accepted them as common practise these days. If such reports are completely untrue most can be brushed under the carpet and deemed harmless. It is those rumours that plant a seed of doubt in people’s minds that can be destructive for both the clubs and players they are concerning.
Cesc Fabregas’ transfer saga is another popular rumour but this one just won’t go away. To be fair to the media this one seems to have just a little truth behind it despite a possible deal for Fabregas not gaining any steam recently. Whilst Arsenal claim he will stay speculation surrounding their captain’s future just won’t go away, the latest being that Fabregas has told Barcelona’s Xavi that he is ‘suffering’ because of his desire to join the European Champions. The constant speculation over the future of their captain and best player has understandably be causing unrest at Arsenal for years.
Luckily for Spurs these new claims about Dawson seem to just be rumours. Spurs will no doubt take centre stage on the back pages sometime soon but hopefully for Harry Redknapp it will about star arrivals rather than anymore unwanted departures.
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