Tag Futebol

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Rio Ferdinand is still a month away from returning to first-team action.

Ferdinand is currently recovering from the knee ligament injury which forced him to miss the World Cup finals.

The 31-year-old defender was injured on the eve of the tournament in South Africa.

Initial injury assessments suggested Ferdinand could be fit for the start of the new Premier League season.

However, speaking ahead of Monday's opener against Newcastle United, Ferguson has revealed that the injury-plagued central defender is still four weeks away from making his latest comeback.

"Rio is nowhere near. He's doing little bits of jogging and things like that but I think he's a month away," he explained.

"We always anticipated it would take time. It's a knee ligament and, although it wasn't what you'd call a serious one, it was a hard one. You have to take time with knee ligaments.

"Rio has had a bad 12 months and we hope it gets better for him.

"You hope the break over the summer with missing the World Cup will help him.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 back injury seemed to sort itself out as the season went on, then he had the groin injury.

"He's had a succession of these things and you don't want to see that when a player is in his thirties."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Whilst many of us would dream of being paid to play football week-in week out for our clubs, for a number of the world’s top footballers this is not the only passion or, for some, the only career path that they have shown an interest in. We are not taling about things like playing golf, or partaking in other common sports, but genuine hobbies or interests outside of the world of sport that these footballers find the time to pursue seriously. I have compiled a selection of 10 footballers with ‘another life’, most of whom I am confident are relatively unknown to the general public, though one or two are certainly familiar.

Click on Daniel Agger to see the 10 players and their secret second lives

[divider]

[divider]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Fabio Capello will not field an entirely new England team against Ghana on Wednesday, but the coach is planning significant changes.England secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Wales in Euro 2012 qualifying on Saturday, but six of the players involved have now been released to rejoin their club sides.

With a near-capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium expected to see a second-string team in the international friendly, Capello has been forced to justify his thinking.

“There will not be 11 changes. It will be seven changes, depending on which players will be fit tomorrow (Tuesday),” the Italian said.

“(Phil) Jagielka, (Gary) Cahill, (Leighton) Baines and (Andy) Carroll will start, (Gareth) Barry will be captain and (Joe) Hart will be in goal.”

“It is important for me to see the players play a team like Ghana, this is a really important team.”

“I respect the fans but it will be interesting to see some players they don’t know so well.”

“It will be interesting for me as well because these players who will play are really good.”

Reinstated captain John Terry, Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard were among those who featured against Wales but have now been released.

All six players are expected to be in Champions League action next week.

“The players that went home are not here because I prefer to preserve them for the clubs and for us,” Capello said.

“At this moment if you are tired it is easy to be injured.”

“They would have played four games in 10 days. It is dangerous for players to play so many games in a short time. Now they will play only three in eight days.

Capello also gave his blessing for Jack Wilshere, newly promoted to the senior team, to take part in the England under-21 side’s European Championship campaign in June.

“Yeah, I will support him 100 percent because I think the players will be really important for the under 21s,” he said.

“Those players can make the difference.”

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed that Argentinian full-back Marcos Angeleri is on the verge of completing his transfer to the Stadium of Light.

The former Estudiantes player has been unable to take part in the Black Cats' pre-season games because of delays in getting an Italian passport which would allow him to play in Europe.

However, Angeleri has finally been handed a passport and could feature in the forthcoming friendlies against Hull City or Benfica.

Bruce told the Sunderland Echo:"It's good news and it's great for him because he needs to work with us as quickly as possible.

"It has been a bit of a culture shock for him coming over and seeing what English football is all about but he is a top-quality player and he will adjust.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 reports we've had on him from Argentina were all outstanding and he is a player who will bring something extra to our squad."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted that his side have not been happy with the results they have been picking up of late, but feels the Stamford Bridge outfit can still challenge for the Premier League title.

Andre Villas Boas’ men have been beaten in their last two domestic fixtures, and disappointingly drew 1-1 against Genk in midweek in the Champions League.

Despite the dip in form, the Czech Republic international feels his team are capable of finishing top of the pile this season.

“We have had two results that we didn’t wish, the last two results, against Arsenal and the Genk draw, but the best way to forget about this is to win games,” the stopper told Mirror Football.

“Obviously, we cannot afford to drop many more points in the Premier League, because we are already behind. There is a long way to go and everything can happen, especially in the Premier League.

“At the moment our opponents have an advantage. Obviously we have to keep working, get the wins and then see what will happen,” he stated.

The London outfit take on Blackburn at Ewood Park this weekend, but Cech has league leaders Manchester City in his sights.

“The Blackburn game could be a turning point for us, because it’s a difficult place to go. Let’s see.

“City have been doing very well, and that’s why they are where they are but there is a long way to go. We play them twice.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“We can’t forget that, last year, we had a brilliant start and then a difficult period and then we had a brilliant finish and could have won the title,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

Mirassol came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Noroeste and move top of the Campeonato Paulista on Friday.Two goals in the space of three first-half minutes from defender Matheus and forward Diego gave struggling Noroeste a surprise lead at Estadio Jose Maria de Campos Maia.But defender Gustavo Bastos pulled one back for Mirassol two minutes into the second half, before striker Serginho levelled on 52 minutes.Neither side was able to produce a winner, but the draw takes Mirassol one point above Corinthians and into top spot.Noroeste remain 16th, but are now one point clear of the relegation zone. Elsewhere, Mogi Mirim twice came from behind to beat Sao Bernardo 4-2. Forward Elionar put hosts Sao Bernardo ahead within six minutes of kick-off at Estadio Municipal Primeiro de Maio.Striker Denilson equalised four minutes later for visitors Mogi Mirim, before midfielder Dirceu restored Sao Bernardo’s lead from the penalty spot on 23 minutes.They remained in front at half-time and it took until the 66th minute for Ytalo to level again for Mogi Mirim.This time the visitors seized the initiative – Denilson struck again to claim a brace and make it 3-2, before Geovane weighed in with a goal on 74 minutes to make it 4-2 to Mogi Mirim and complete the transformation.The win takes Mogi Mirim up to ninth in the table, while Sao Bernando are fourth from bottom with just nine points from 11 matches played.Eraldo’s 75th-minute strike gave Gremio Prudente a much-needed 1-0 win at home to Ituano.Three points sees Gremio Prudente climb off the foot of the table and into 18th place, two points off safety. Ituano are three points better off in 14th place.

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes Chelsea defender Ashley Cole will join him at Real Madrid next season.

Full-back Cole has been linked with a £30million move to the Spanish giants this summer.

The England international would be reunited with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho following his own move from Internazionale to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Casillas, who captained Spain to World Cup glory in South Africa, believes a fresh start in Madrid is exactly what Cole needs.

The 29-year-old is currently in the middle of divorce proceedings following the break-up of his marriage to pop star Cheryl Tweedy.

"From what I am hearing the signs look good," Casillas told The Sun."I have only briefly spoken to people at the club but I am confident that he can be a Real Madrid player next year.

"I think it will be the right move for him both professionally and personally.

"A clean break from England is hopefully something he is very interested in.

"It will be his last big contract and who better to sign for than his old coach Mourinho at Real.

"He will know better than anybody this club will be successful under Jose.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"Jose has proved he buys players and makes them the very best in the world in their position.

"With Ashley he doesn't need to do that because he's already the best left-back in the world.

"Jose knows all about him and it comes as no surprise to me he is very much on Madrid's radar."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

John Terry has admitted it is his ambition to captain England at a major tournament, as his nation are on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2012.

The Chelsea defender will lead his side out against Montenegro on Friday night in Podgorica, knowing that a draw will ensure The Three Lions’ participation in Ukraine and Poland next year.

With the centre half having missed out on leading the team at the World Cup in 2010 due to allegations about his private life, he is hoping he can skipper his nation in the upcoming European Championships.

“It is obviously my dream to take the England side into a big and major tournament,” he stated to Sky Sports News.

“Personally that is my aim, but collectively the team is the priority and whether that is a draw or a win we have to do the right thing, we are full of confidence and top of the group but we have to get over the line.

“It brings back memories of the Turkey game a few years ago when we needed a draw in Istanbul to go through to Euro 2004. The manager has got us in the right frame of mind for the game,” he stated.

England suffered a poor World Cup campaign in South Africa last year, but Terry believes the team have put the disappointment behind them.

“We have come back and taken a look at ourselves and we have come together collectively, we are very pleased with how things have gone and make sure we put ourselves in the Euros,” he concluded.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 Rio Ferdinand’s absence either Gary Cahill or Phil Jones is likely to partner Terry in the centre of the visitors’ rearguard, and the Chelsea man’s experience will be vital in nullifying Montenegro’s able forwards Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Football is a funny old game as the old adage goes – it’s a sport that’s much more prone to sentiment than almost any other, and one in which the heart often rules the head; and emotional returns are all just part and parcel of this.

There is a saying though that you should never go back; that any return is doomed from the beginning because it is downright impossible to live up to the previously high expectations set by a player or manager during their original stint at the club. If there is one fixed point of reference in football over time, it is most definitely the law of diminishing returns.

However, there remains hope for fans all over the country. Amidst talk of Kenny Dalglish being offered a two-year managerial deal at Liverpool and even a surprising move by Arsenal for former stalwart Jens Lehmann after a goalkeeping injury crisis, it appears emotional returns are now back in fashion, when it looked as if they were all but confined to the scrapbooks.

Here, in this list of top ten returning heroes, I will chart the careers of ten players, managers, and not to give anything away too much, chairmen, who have done the unthinkable – they’ve gone back to the scene of their past glories and have expanded on their legacy rather than tainted it like so many have done before them. So without further ado, here are ten people’s careers that may go some way at least to disproving the well worn theory that you should never go back.

[divider]

Click on Dalglish below to see the Top TEN Returning Heroes

[divider]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[divider]

[ad_pod id=’fox-mpu’ align=’left’]

There wasn’t much to say about England’s performance against Algeria on Friday, but Westwood managed to describe it in three words, and as you can imagine he wasn’t exactly complimentary! You won’t find the phrase ‘free-flowing football’ anywhere in his second 2010 World Cup article for the News of the World, something that England failed to produce in the whole 90 minutes in Cape Town. After time to reflect on the match, Westwood comes up with his own reasons for the Three Lions’ dreadful display that leaves them on the brink of an early exit from South Africa.

He feels that the England team are scared. Scared of failure, scared of being criticised, scared of taking the bull by the horns and really going for it. This fear is something that the Fabio Capello and the whole England team have to banish on Wednesday afternoon if they’re to have any chance of triumphing over Slovenia. Westwood thinks that to be successful you have to take risks, something England simply haven’t done so far and time is running out for the Three Lions to do so. The 2010 World Cup is passing England by and we just don’t seem to be ready or to be able to do anything to stop it drifting away.

The big dawg is at as much a loss as the rest of us. He doesn’t buy the ball excuse and refuses to lay blame with the manager, as it’s the players who ultimately have to take responsibility for their shocking performances. Where’s the passion? Nobody is stepping up to the plate and the team is letting the whole nation down. In terms of booing, the Radio 1Xtra DJ thinks that the fans have a right to express how they feel and it’s important that they players hear the criticism. But Westwood still believes, even if he is getting rid of all his England team Panini stickers!

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

To read Tim Westwood’s second NOTW World Cup article in full head to: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/world_cup/852867/Tim-Westwoods-second-exclusive-World-Cup-blog.html