Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has revealed that the club are yet to open talks with striker Christian Benteke over an improved contract.
Benteke still has three years left on his Villa deal after the £7million move from Genk on transfer deadline day last summer.
The Belgian striker has been in phenomenal form for the Premier League strugglers and a number of big clubs from around Europe are said to been keen on snapping him up in the summer.
Lambert has admitted that he will struggle to hold on to his prized asset if the Midlands club are playing Championship football next season but the Scot is hoping it won’t come to that.
Villa won away at Stoke last weekend and have a winnable game at home to Fulham today to pull further clear of the relegation fight and Lambert is not willing to discuss contracts until they’re safe.
“I think the most important thing is the league until the end of the season, I heard somebody say he’s been promised a new contract but I can’t have been a part of those conversations,” Lambert told Sky Sports.
“I speak to him all the time, not about contracts, I just tell him to keep it going really. And he’s never once mentioned anything to me about contracts.
“He’s got a contract here anyway as it stands, but I think it’s important we stay in this league and do as well as we’ve been doing.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“As I said before I’ve never had one conversation with him regarding contracts or anything like that, he’s not that type of lad. I’m sure come the end of the season we’ll sit down and it’ll be just Chris and a few others.”
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted he is finding it hard to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher’s retirement, reports the Daily Mail.
The Reds have only conceded three goals at Anfield this season, but on the road it has been a different story.
Rodgers has seen his side ship six goals in their last two away outings at Everton and Hull City, with Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at the KC Stadium proving costly.
Rodgers spent £25million on new defensive talent in the summer, bringing in Mamadou Sakho from Paris St Germain, and Tiago Ilori from Sporting Lisbon. Kolo Toure also signed for the Reds on a free transfer from Manchester City.
Rodgers has rotated his centre back partnerships this season, with Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger the chosen pairing for the Merseyside derby, while Toure replaced Agger for the trip to Hull on Sunday.
Mamadou Sakho may well find himself recalled to the back four for tonight’s clash with Norwich, as Rodgers seeks to find the perfect defensive formula.
“It’s probably the first job I have been in where there have been lots of areas I have been happy and settled in but this (central defence) is an important area,” Rodgers said.
“It is something I need to look at in order to get that consistency. There has been lots of change – and some of that has been down to me – knowing every game is an absolute cup final for us. If I feel I have need to change it going into a game to get a result, then I will do.
“But of course I also need to look at it from the coaching perspective as well, that a little run in the team might breed the consistency even though we have had to change a number of positions.”
Sakho has not featured for the Reds since their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last month, but Rodgers revealed he is working hard to get back into the side.
“He came in at a time when we went to a back three and did reasonably well, so he’s working very hard to come into the starting line-up,” Rodgers added.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
‘That’s where we are at. He’s a good player, a (France) international.
“If he is working well enough in training – and the team is not doing so well – it could open up the door for him.”
Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose will wait until the end of the season to find out if he has a future at White Hart Lane.
The young left back has impressed on loan at Sunderland this season and the Black Cats are keen to sign the England under-21 international on a full time basis.
The 22 year old was loaned out due to lack of first team opportunities in North London but his stella individual displays at the Stadium of Light may have changed that.
Current Spurs left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been injured for a large part of this season leaving them with a lack of cover in that position.
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has praised the youngster but admitted he has no idea if he will join the North East club or not.
“He’s our player at the moment. Sunday will be his last game and then we will see,” Di Canio told the Shields Gazette.
“I don’t want to talk about the future because we have to focus on the next game.
“In my opinion, he can improve a lot defensively. He’s an attacking-minded left-back, but he has to improve a lot defensively.
“He’s got a great future in front of him. He’s a powerful guy. The strength and elasticity he’s got mean he can run forward with the ball and beat people easily.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“It’s obvious he can play at the top level, but everybody has to improve.”
It’s time for UEFA to tackle racism properly once and for all and after another ugly incident overshadowed England under 21’s victory in Serbia.
A series of pitiful fines and inept warnings have meant a minority of fans in some nations have got away with metaphoric murder at the expense of innocent footballers. A footballer should be able to step out onto a pitch to do his job without being subjected to racist chants and having missiles launched in his direction. Jordan Henderson said, “There was a lot of racist abuse out there from the stands and a lot going on after the game.
“There were also stones, coins and seats getting thrown at us,” (BBC). This brutal incident of fan trouble is not the first incident involving unruly Serbian fans. In 2007 Serbian fans singled out Nedum Onouha for racial chants during an England under 21 fixture and received a mere £16,000 fine. With this not the first incident involving Serbian troublemakers it is time to send a real message out, ban them. If Serbia are withdrawn from international competition then maybe those who do cause trouble will think twice before next acting in such a vile way, or maybe those who remain silent around them will act more vigilantly in stopping these despicable acts.
UEFA’s punishment of racism has been farcical and now is the time for change, Porto were fined a mere £16,400 for racially abusing Mario Balotelli in a Europa League clash. The same governing body then charged Nicklas Bendtner £80,000 for having Paddy Power written on his boxers. If Serbia were banned from all international fixtures for at least a tournament it would send a strong message across the globe that racism is not tolerated in football. Banning one of Europe’s stronger nation’s from all international competition would send a strong message out to fans from other countries who England have had deal with poisonous chants before. If Serbia are made an example of the minority who have tarnished Bulgaria vs. England and Spain vs. England matches in the past might get the message.
This unfortunate volatile fixture can hopefully act as the catalyst to new tougher regulations from football’s governing body, as enough is enough, this can’t go on.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has ruled out a January move for Barcelona striker David Villa.
A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with the Spanish star in recent weeks, amid speculation that he may be able to leave the Nou Camp on loan to regain match fitness.
The Swans are one of the parties to have been mentioned, with some speculating that their style of play may suit the former Valencia hit-man.
With star performer Michu suffering a bad ankle injury in their draw with Reading, the South Wales outfit are rather short on goal scoring options, which has furthered rumours of the club delving into the transfer market.
However, Laudrup confessed that a move for Villa is unlikely, and that he has not been in contact with the player or Barca:
“There have been a lot of rumours, but the only Villa coming to Swansea is Aston Villa.” He is quote by the Daily Mail.
“He is a fantastic player, but unfortunately I don’t think he will be coming to Swansea.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“In fact, although I haven’t spoken to (Andoni) Zubizarreta or (Tito) Vilanova, I think he will stay at Barcelona.”
Villa has also bee linked with Arsenal and Liverpool in recent weeks, with both sides keen to bolster their attacking options in January.
Ten years is a long time in football, but it has been a whirlwind period for Swansea City. As the South Wales club prepare for their Capital One Cup semi-final with Arsenal, few outside of the Swans’ loyal band of supporters will know just how close the club came to disappearing for good not too long ago.
But, here we are, with the white and gold clad team on the verge of reaching a domestic final. If you’d have told any fans in the stands at Vetch Field during their 1-0 defeat to Boston United in 2002, that their team would be competing in the top tier and on the verge of making the League Cup final in just over ten years, you may have seen some confused faces. However, these are the circumstances now faced by the Swans, whose feet have barely had time to touch the ground.
Swansea were staring into the abyss as poor form left the club at the bottom of the Football League during the 2002/03 season. A hat-trick from James Thomas inspired a last day 4-2 victory over Hull, which saved Swansea from relegation, at the expense of Exeter City. From here their climb up the football ladder began.
Brian Flynn guided the team to mid-table safety the next season, but was replaced by Kenny Jackett, who was unable to maintain their push for a play-off spot. However, after drafting in a number of talented defensive players, the now Millwall coach saw his side secure third place with a 1-0 win over Bury and subsequent promotion to League 1.
With their move up to the third-tier of English football, Swansea bid farewell to their home Vetch Field, moving into the council-run Liberty Stadium facility. It looked like being a fairy-tale first season at their new home, as the Swans’ impressive form saw them reach the play-off final, however a penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Barnsley ended all hopes of a move to the Championship.
Jackett resigned the following year, and Swansea took a chance on Spanish manager Roberto Martinez, offering him his first senior position. Initially it looked to be an inspired decision, as the club made a real push for a second successive play-off appearance. But, it was not to be, with a 6-3 defeat to Blackpool seeing them narrowly miss out.
Martinez’s methods saw the birth of the Swansea we now see on a weekly basis, with a real focus on maintaining possession and playing football the ‘right’ way. Jackett’s side had played in a moderately attractive style, but the Spaniard’s approach was the catalyst for a change in philosophy. It wasn’t all style over substance either, with his first full season in charge bringing promotion to the Championship and the League 1 winners trophy to the Liberty Stadium.
After guiding the team to mid-table safety in the second tier, Martinez left to take the managerial post at Wigan. Paulo Sousa stepped in to steady the ship, but left after just one season. Despite this, he is still held in high regard for his impact on and off of the pitch.
The dream of promotion was achieved the following year, with Brendan Rodgers guiding the team to a 4-2 play-off final win over Reading, his former club, at Wembley.
Swansea’s appearance in the top flight made them the first Welsh team to appear in the Premier League since its formation in 1992. With memorable wins against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal the club to achieved a safety in their first season, and also won the hearts of many neutral football fans.
Rodgers left during the summer for the vacant managers position at Liverpool, but once again the team brought in a progressive coach in the shape of Michael Laudrup. The Dane has maintained the core principles of the team and now has the chance to cap their meteoric rise with one of the most coveted trophies in English football, the Capital One Cup.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The turn of the New Year will see Swansea prepare for their semi-final clash with Chelsea, and although they are underdogs, they have every chance of making a cup final appearance at Wembley.
Even if they fail to lift the trophy, the Swansea story is a miraculous one. One that shows that with the right attitude and a core set of principles anything is possible. From the brink of destruction, the Swans are now on the brink of greatness.
It’s been a huge week at Old Trafford, which has left many fans distraught. After Sir Alex Ferguson announced he would retire at the end of the season, United supporters were already in a fragile mood. But the news that Wayne Rooney has asked to leave the club has hurt fans once more. These stories do sound familiar though. In 2002, Ferguson was set to retire, only to change his mind late on, whilst Rooney requested to leave the club in 2010 before eventually signing a 5-year contract.
But it seems this time it’s for real. Sir Alex really is going to leave, whilst Rooney looks intent on departing Manchester. After being forced to play out of position for the end of season run-in, it appears the English striker has become fed up at Old Trafford, and wants a fresh challenge. With Robin van Persie becoming the club’s main striker this season, Wayne hasn’t been able to handle not being number 1.
With the news that Sir Alex is to retire from management at the end of the season, it seems Rooney doesn’t even want to wait to speak to the new manager about his future. Unless he shocks the footballing world, it appears Everton manager David Moyes will become the new man to manage the Premier League champions. But Rooney looks intent on leaving even if his former boss comes to the club, without hearing Moyes’ plans for the striker, or for the team.
So what about the rest of the Old Trafford squad? With the only player to play under Moyes desperate to leave, it doesn’t paint a good picture about the Everton manager. And with players in the dressing room such as Anderson and Nani who are also reportedly unhappy with their involvement at the club, they too may be thinking of leaving after Rooney’s clear intentions. So before Moyes arrives at the club, he could well find a queue outside his door of players asking to leave the club.
Ideally, Moyes would come into the club with Rooney spending the last few weeks of the season speaking gold about the Scotsman, and talking about how much he is looking forward to being reunited with his first manager at senior level. But instead, it looks like these next two weeks will all about Rooney possibly playing his last games for the club, and causing doubt amongst other players about whether they too should leave with Sir Alex.
Although Rooney reportedly talked about wanting to leave before Sir Alex announced his retirement, the fact he’s formally asked to leave after the legendary manager told the world about his intentions, shows a lack of faith in any new manager, especially his former one. The timing of Rooney’s decision shows an absence of belief in Moyes, who has been the odds-on favourite for the job ever since Ferguson decided to retire. Rooney’s desire to leave will damage Moyes’ reputation in the United dressing room, and could well lead to a few more players publicly requesting transfers.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Some people may be sceptical about Manchester United’s motives in signing Shinji Kagawa, but one thing the Japanese superstar is certain to bring (apart from shirt sales) is a bit more glamour.
Shinji Kagawa’s girlfiend is adult entertainment sensation Ameri Ichinose, and there’s no doubt that she’d provide something a bit different to the Old Trafford players and families lounge alongside the likes of Coleen Rooney.
He’s been in Europe for just two years, having signed for Borussia Dortmund from Cerezo Osaka in 2010, but it was only after finding fame with his dazzling Bundesliga displays that he became romantically involved with gorgeous Ichinose, who has also worked under the names Ayaka Misora and Erika Kurisu.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that Kagawa doesn’t get too distracted from his game – or worse, injured – by his lady’s more adventurous desires. According to the Daily Star Sunday the 24-year-old Kanagawa-born babe is very open about her love for sex – “the nastier the better”. We’ll, erm, let you do your own research into that…
Click on the lucky Shinji Kagawa to see the full gallery
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
West Brom manager Steve Clarke believes his side can dream of European qualification following their 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
The result moved the Baggies up to fourth position in the Premier League, just a single point behind the current European champions.
Clarke believes that his side can now think of qualification for continental competition, but conceded they must work hard to keep up their form:
“At the moment, we are in the right position to think about Europe – but we go from game to game.” He told SkySports.
“That is boring I know, but I think this weekend we’ll let the supporters dream a little bit.
“The team are certainly in a very good moment, but within the camp we’ll keep our feet on the ground.
“I think people have been taking notice of us for quite a few weeks now. We are aware of that, they can take notice if they want, but we work from game to game.”
Since taking the hot-seat at the Hawthorns from Roy Hodgson, Clarke has instilled a more attacking philosophy.
The ex-Liverpool assistant is happy with the results of his style:
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“I wanted to try and make supporters go home happy at the weekend after watching a team who have played attractive football and tried to play football the right way and get positive results.
“We’ll go chasing three points and, if we keep doing what we are doing, it can be a good season for us.
“We closed the gap on Chelsea and managed to put a few more points between some teams that are below us.”
Gus Poyet hopes Connor Wickham will be like a new signing for Sunderland, having recalled the England Under-21 striker from a loan spell at Leeds United, according to the Guardian.
Wickham has struggled at the Stadium of Light since completing a £12million move from Ipswich Town three years ago.
He has managed just one Premier League goal during his Black Cats career so far, but does not turn 21 until next Monday.
And Poyet is hoping Wickham can start to fulfill his potential as his Sunderland side look to avoid relegation over the final few weeks of the season, starting with the game against Liverpool at Anfield tonight.
“We need a big impact now,” said the Uruguayan, whose side have not won a Premier League game since the 3-0 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park on February 1.
“We need something to happen to change the mood.
“If you were in a lower division, you’d probably look to sign a player on loan to have an impact. Another club might sack their manager and bring in another one, although I obviously hope that doesn’t happen here. But it’s that type of thing we need.
“We need something to happen, and I need to find that season-changing moment. Between the Liverpool game and Monday against West Ham at home, I have to find something.
“It could be Connor Wickham because there is a big possibility he will start at Liverpool. Connor’s going to get a great chance now.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“I would like Connor to look at this as though we have just signed him for the first time. He’s a new player, nobody knows him, and he’s a young English striker with incredible powers.
“He’s coming to help us get away from relegation. If he has that impact, that will be fantastic. It will be the ‘bang’ we need.”