Injured captain Rio Ferdinand believes England have a "great chance" of winning a "wide open" World Cup.
Ferdinand is back home after picking up a tournament-ending knee ligament injury during England's first training session in South Africa.
A programme of rehabilitation from the Manchester United medical staff will prevent the 31-year-old defender from returning to South Africa, but Ferdinand has given a ringing endorsement of the Three Lions' chances.
Speaking ahead of Friday's Group C encounter with Algeria, he said:"If we win this one, the confidence will build and we'll get back on a high.
"We still have a great chance of winning the World Cup and no team can claim to be the outright favourites. There's no-one who scares us.
"A lot of teams come to a World Cup with an aura about them and, while the Germans and the Argentines have each had good wins, I don't think you could say with conviction any team has stood head and shoulders above the others in the first round of games.
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"And, of course, one of the favourites Spain has lost to Switzerland. So I think the competition is wide open."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
In the traditional football season curtain-raiser at Villa Park last weekend, Premier League champions Manchester City beat ten-man FA Cup winners Chelsea 3-2.
It wasn’t a match without controversy, though, as Serbian right back Branislav Ivanovic was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Aleksandar Kolarov.
Here are Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard arguing with referee Kevin Friend following the dismissal of Ivanovic in the Blues’ Community Shield loss against Manchester City last weekend.
Can you come up with a funny caption for this picture?
Leave your suggestions in the comments section below…
This week you can win a copy of ‘Chelsea FC – Champions of Europe 2012’ on DVD!
From the group stages right through to Drogba’s winning spot-kick, this DVD features highlights from every game and every goal in a fitting tribute to the heroes in blue.
Extras include exclusive interviews with Chelsea’s top stars, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill and Petr Cech, a tribute to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and highlights of the victory parade.
Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_wvKd-EkTg
Order now here: http://amzn.to/NWKn8V
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Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will return to the Manchester United starting line-up for the Champions League clash with Otelul Galati on Tuesday night.
The in-form attack was surprisingly left on the bench for the Premier League champions’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday, as the Scottish coach felt that his international ban for England was playing on his mind.
Despite this, Rooney will play in the fixture in Romania, after being desperate to feature at Anfield.
“He’ll be playing tomorrow,” Ferguson declared in a pre-match press conference.
“When the initial news came through it was a definite blow for him. He didn’t expect that. None of us did.
“It was a silly action but it wasn’t seriously dangerous. When he realised getting a three-match ban meant missing all the games for England and might not be involved at all, it is not easy to qualify in major championships, that resonated in Wayne’s mind.
“But actually, when he came on he was quite bubbly. He was full of energy and enthusiasm.
“He was desperate to get on, which is good. When he was sat watching the game he probably said, ‘Christ I could be out there’,” Ferguson concluded.
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Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand will not feature against the Romanian champions, as he is being rested for the clash with Manchester City this Sunday.
Nemanja Vidic, who has missed all but one game of the campaign so far this term, is in line for a return however, after recovering from a calf problem.
Bolton midfielder Mark Davies has signed a new deal with the team that will keep him at Reebok Stadium until the end of the 2014/15 season.
Davies joined Bolton from Wolves in 2009 and has established himself as a key part of Owen Coyle’s first team this term, making 25 appearances.
Coyle spoke of his delight at Davies’ contract extension as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for European football.
“Mark was already under contract but what this shows is that we are trying to build a football club for years to come,” Coyle said.
“The nucleus is centred around young, exciting players and Mark certainly comes into that category.”
“He is enjoying an extended run in the team at the moment and he is showing his qualities. To have a player of his ilk commit his long-term future to the football club is a tremendous boost.”
Bolton have already tied up some important players on long-term deals this season, including Fabrice Muamba, Lee Chung-yong, Stuart Holden and striker Danny Ward, and Davies said he felt his new contract was a vote of confidence from Coyle.
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“I’m really pleased to have signed a new contract,” Davies said.
“The football club has been good to me since I moved here two years ago and I’m really settled in the area. The manager believes in me and I feel like I’m part of his plans.”
Despite claims that the Premier League is in dire straits with its finances and wages are spiralling out of control. An in depth look into Deloitte’s report actually shows the Premier League is running rather well.
Firstly the Premier League’s turnover sits at an incredibly £2 billion. If we compare that with Italy’s Serie A or Spain’s La Liga, there is a £500 million gap in revenue. La Liga and Serie A are currently turning over somewhere in the region of £1.5 billon. In order to compete at the highest level the Premier League has put good use to this high revenue, by giving the players more money. Now to the average man on the street that sounds atrocious. Part of me takes his point too, but stick with me and I shall give you reasons why it’s working.
Firstly why is the Premier League arguably the best league in the world? Well one of the main reasons is the quality of players. The best players in the world play or wish to play in England. This isn’t because they want to enjoy the Manchester rain. It’s money. It is sad it has got to this, but it’s where we are at so we should accept it. The rise in dominance of the Premier League in the Champions League is all down to the increase in wages. The Premier League with its massive turnover can now spend much more to secure the best talent in the world.
I haven’t heard many fans complaining at the standard of football in the Premier League recently. That’s because it is the best in the world. The best things cost money. Furthermore if the Premier League is turning over £2 billion a year I would rather see the majority of that money in the pocket of the player rather than the fat cats sat upstairs. The players are the game. They create every goal, tackle, pass, free kick and corner that makes us coo so obediently. Their talent is a rarity and in the market rarity breeds value.
What also must be remembered is that the 67% of all turnover being spent on wages by Premier League clubs is not too alarming when compared to the continent. France and Italy both have higher ratios in the 70% region of wages to turnover. Spain is currently running at 67% also. So compared to the rest of Europe the Premier League is not haemorrhaging money on wages at ridiculous rates. In fact we are less than rivals. The Premier League’s profit last season was £79 million. Serie A produced figures of £116 million in the red and France’s Ligue 1 £64 million. So next time you hear Platini telling us how the English games finances need sorting out, tell him to look in his backyard first.
Ignore his and Sepp Blatter’s attempts at bringing in a fair play system in finances. It’s not revolutionary and will do little to change or help the game. If anything it’s bad for the fan and doesn’t create more competition. The basic idea would be that clubs could only spend in line with their revenue rates. So who would be able to spend the most money on players and salaries? Erm Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. They currently have the highest revenue streams in the UK. Lots of change there then for competition. Additionally and more worryingly for the fan, clubs may increase ticket prices, merchandise, etc in order to raise their revenue streams so they could spend more money. That idea is really not helpful for football.
So where could we cut some money out of football and give the clubs some breathing place? You don’t have to look at the players. It’s agents. I came across an amazing statistic yesterday that 36% of all transfer money in 2008/09 in the Premier League went into the pockets of agents. That totals to £80 million. For myself I find that more shocking than the players wages. The Premier League has come into stick for running at only £79 million profit considering the £2 billion turnover. Get rid of agents or minimise their earnings to double that instantly. The £80 million drain on clubs over transfers could make substantial savings. I don’t understand that if a player is bought by a Premier League club for £10 million why a chaperone has to be paid £2-3 million?! Let’s eradicate that from our game first and foremost to save some money.
There are some worrying numbers in the Deloitte report, particularly for the Championship and Football League who are running at wages being a staggering 90% and 80% of turnover respectively. The Football League needs to take steps to bring this down. The Premier League on the other hand is still healthy and providing some of the best football in the world. Long may that continue. The problems seen at Liverpool, West Ham and of course Portsmouth are nothing to do with players wages, it has been the complete mismanagement of finances by the owners. Portsmouth’s staggering wage bill doesn’t come from player’s demands, they should have signed less players or individuals whose wage demands would have sat with their budgets.
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Listen to the debate I had on Sky News last night on this very subject below.
It’s been another fine season in the Premier League, one that Manchester City have made unforgettable with their incredible dominance over the rest of the division. But away from the best team in the English top flight, this term’s champions, and onto the best individuals. Here are the six Premier League nominees for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Season award…
Raheem Sterling
It’s been a real coming of age season for Raheem Sterling, one that’s seen him double his previous best scoring return for a single Premier League campaign with 18 goals and grab eleven assists as well. In fact, he’s one of just three players in the whole division to reach double figures for both strikes and setups. More than just output though, the England international has been a relentless presence, completing 2.3 dribbles per ninety minutes.
Eden Hazard
Injuries may have prevented him from making his first Premier League start until September but Eden Hazard has nonetheless enjoyed another strong season as Chelsea’s most talismanic presence. The Belgium international finished the term with twelve goals and four assists, while completing the most dribbles of any Premier League player and ranking sixth for key passes per match.
Harry Kane
It’s incredible to think a young Harry Kane was once dubbed a flash in the pan. The Tottenham striker may have missed out on this season’s Golden Boot but he’s now scored at least 20 goals for the last four Premier League campaigns, this term bagging his highest total to date of 30 in 37 appearances. The England attacker took 5.4 efforts at goal per ninety minutes this season.
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City’s chief creator, Kevin De Bruyne finished up top of the Premier League’s assists charts for 2017/18 with a stunning 16 setups – alongside an impressive eight goals. More than statistics, however, he’s been the roaring engine of Pep Guardiola’s title-winning team, the man ripping through the midfield and distributing to their potent forward line.
David De Gea
The Player of the Season award is usually all about attacking players, but David De Gea’s form at the opposite end of the pitch has been impossible to ignore. He lifted the Premier League’s Golden Glove award with a whopping 18 clean sheets and produced an overall save success rate of 79%. In terms of single performances, his heroic display against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in which he made 14 saves particularly comes to mind.
Mohamed Salah
The real surprise story of the 2017/18 season, Mohamed Salah was inconsistent at best during his short time with Chelsea but has transformed into an absolute superstar throughout his debut campaign at Liverpool. The Egyptian’s set a new record for goals scored in a 38-game season, an illustrious 32, and supplied his teammates with a further ten assists. Few players across the entire of Europe have matched Salah’s form this term and he’ll surely be nominated for 2018’s Ballon d’Or.
Southampton looked to be on course for their first Premier League win since November and a much-needed three points when they led Watford 2-0 at half-time at Vicarage Road last Saturday, but like on so many other occasions in recent weeks and months, they failed to hold on to their advantage and ended up dropping two points.
The under pressure Mauricio Pellegrino would probably have been the most annoyed and frustrated person that his side couldn’t hold on, and he is coming under increased scrutiny from the fans and the board with the club lying just one spot and one point above the top flight relegation zone with 15 matches left to play.
While the Argentine’s team selections, tactics and substitutions often leave a lot to be desired and the 46-year-old has deservedly received stick because of them, the Saints players have to take their fair share of the blame too.
Having come through the first 13 minutes of the second-half against the Hornets unscathed, club captain Steven Davis picked up the ball around 30 yards from his own goal and had plenty of time to make a pass forward or even to the side.
However, the experienced Northern Ireland international instead turned backwards and dawdled on the ball before it was stolen off of him, and Andre Gray ended up putting the ball into the back of the net.
Having only tasted victory on four occasions in the Premier League this season – with two of those coming in the first month of the campaign – the players were clearly nervous and throughout the last half-an-hour they gradually retreated further and further towards their own goal as the introduction of Troy Deeney and Stefano Okaka saw Watford go more direct.
Although the equaliser came in controversial circumstances as Abdoulaye Doucoure put the ball into the net with his hand, it came and it counted after had been left free in the penalty area to convert.
It was another experienced Saints player in Ryan Bertrand that lost his concentration to allow the Frenchman into the penalty area unchallenged, and the south coast outfit were forced to settle for a point that looked for so long to be three.
It isn’t the first time a mistake or lapse of concentration has cost Southampton this season, either.
In the 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace at St Mary’s earlier this month Saints were leading in the 68th minute, but they left James McArthur all alone at the far post to score the equaliser before Luka Milivojevic netted the winner from outside the box.
Previously, Maya Yoshida had failed to mark Huddersfield Town striker Laurent Depoitre in the 1-1 draw against the Terriers before Christmas as the Belgian was allowed to head home, while Olivier Giroud was allowed to also score with a free header after Dusan Tadic failed to prevent a cross from Alexis Sanchez as Southampton surrendered another two points against Arsenal earlier in December.
Yes, Southampton’s tactics haven’t helped in any of these cases as they have chosen to sit back rather than try and find another goal, but the players certainly need to be held accountable as well as the manager for some of the errors they are currently making.
Senior players like Davis, Bertrand, Yoshida and Oriol Romeu – who was so good last season but hasn’t reached the same level this time around – need to step up, while Sofiane Boufal and Mario Lemina need to show their talents more than they currently are when they are on the pitch.
Southampton desperately need to start picking up wins in their quest to move away from the bottom three, starting when they welcome in-form Tottenham Hotspur to St Mary’s on Sunday.
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Pellegrino’s men were disappointing in the 5-2 defeat against Spurs at Wembley on Boxing Day, and if they play like that again this weekend they will be in for another comprehensive loss.
It certainly won’t be an easy game when the Saints players come up against Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, and they can’t afford to make errors or lack awareness given how good the movement of the aforementioned quartet is.
If Saints do suffer a heavy defeat and put in a poor showing the manager will likely be on his way, and while that may please some fans they must realise that the players have let themselves and the supporters down too, and they need to be held accountable for their part in what has been such a disastrous season.
Anzhi Makhachkala striker Lacina Traore is set to leave the Russian giants once the transfer window re-opens in January, according to reports from Izvestia.
Liverpool have been linked with the giant forward over the past few months, with manager Brendan Rodgers thought to be keen to make additions to his squad this winter.
Traore was one of only a few big name players to stay at Anzhi over the summer, after billionaire owner, Suleyman Kerimov, elected to cut his investment in the club.
This led to the sales of top first-team stars such as Willian and Samuel Eto’o leaving, as the Dagestan outfit set about reducing their lavish expenditure.
Traore was linked with a similar fate, and now looks set to be sold in January.
The 23-year-old is wanted by a number of top European clubs following an impressive goal return of 13 in 27 for Anzhi.
Liverpool are one of the sides in the running, with Rodgers keen to bolster his options in a bid to maintain the Reds’ impressive start to the campaign.
The 6ft. 8” forward joined Anzhi from domestic rivals Kuban Krasnodar in 2012 and has six Ivory Coast international caps to his name.
Should Liverpool move for Lacina Traore?
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Tottenham Hotspur can consider themselves a regular top-four side in the Premier League having finished inside the top bracket in the last three seasons.
Mauricio Pochettino has been a major reason for the club’s surge up the standings.
The Argentine has shaped a young team into capable trophy challengers, but they are not quite at the level that they wish to be.
It has been a decade since the North London outfit won a piece of silverware, and they cannot compete with the financial clout of Manchester City and Manchester United.
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Moving into a brand new stadium, though, will certainly bump their status among England’s elite.
Concerns have been raised over the futures of a number of first-team players, but the fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief on Thursday when Pochettino signed a new contract.
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The club’s official website confirmed that the Argentine has put pen to paper on a five-year deal.
It is safe to say that the supporters were overjoyed by the news.
Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan does not think that Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has a future at Elland Road.
The left-back moved to the Championship outfit from Manchester United in the summer.
A loan deal was agreed for the 2017-18 season, and even though there is still over four months to go until the end of the campaign, Whelan does not think that Borthwick-Jackson has made a big enough impression.
The 20-year-old has made just one appearance in the Championship and that was way back in August when he played 82 minutes of a goalless draw with Preston.
The youngster has had to settle for appearances in the Carabao Cup, and he is expected to make his fifth outing in a cup competition this season when Leeds face Newport County in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Whelan thinks that even if Borthwick-Jackson puts in a stellar performance this weekend, the youngster will be returning to United.
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The former striker told BBC Radio Leeds:
“I don’t think it makes any difference. I think he’s going to go back no matter what. I think they are just giving some of the lads a break, giving some bodies a game.”