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Gallas rumours won’t deter Redknapp

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has laughed off criticism of his decision to pursue William Gallas who looks set to move to White Hart Lane after leaving Arsenal (Spurs 11/4 for a top-four finish).

The 33-year-old has spent almost 10 years in the Premiership after five seasons at Chelsea and four at Arsenal but is currently without a club following his decision to leave the Emirates Stadium when offered a new deal on reduced wages.

The Frenchman has earned a reputation as a bit of a trouble maker in his career to date and was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy for publicly criticising his team-mates, while also staging a ’sit-in’ on the pitch at Birmingham back in 2008 following a 2-2 draw with the Blues.

He also left Chelsea under a cloud as part of the deal to take Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge, with rumours, later denied by the player, that Gallas had threatened to score own goals if he was not allowed to leave Chelsea.

All the reports of petulant behaviour have not deterred Redknapp in his quest to sign the France international defender and he made it clear, in his own inimitable way, that he will have no problem bringing the former Caen defender to the club.

“It’s all cobblers,” he said. “What’s he done? It’s not the Yorkshire Ripper I’m signing, is it? He’s a footballer, he plays football.

“I must say, whenever we’ve played against him, I always felt he was a fantastic defender.

“I spoke to a few people about him – who have played with him and everything else – and everyone came back with the same views as I’ve got.

“And if he has got a temperament, from what they tell me and the people I spoke to who’ve played with him is that he gets the hump with people who are not as professional as he is.”

Gallas’ proposed move is bound to cause consternation among Gunners’ fans as they will possibly have to watch one of their former heroes playing his trade with their bitter north London rivals.

Former England defender Sol Campbell famously incurred the wrath of the Spurs fans by moving in the opposite direction back in 2001 after nine years with Tottenham and it could be pay back time for the Spurs faithful as they look set to welcome Gallas to the club before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Spurs face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking for their first win of the Premiership season following a 0-0 draw with Manchester City last weekend (Tottenham 6/5 to beat Stoke).

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Cole fires City warning

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Liverpool star Joe Cole misses a penaltyJoe Cole has warned Manchester City that Liverpool will head to Eastlands on Monday full of confidence following their unbeaten start to the season (Liverpool 2/1 to win on Monday – match market).

The Reds have so far won three Europa League qualifying games and almost beat Arsenal with 10 men last weekend only for a freak own goal by goalkeeper Jose Reina to give the Gunners a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Cole has personally endured a somewhat difficult start to his Liverpool career – getting sent off against Arsenal and then missing a penalty on Thursday in the 1-0 win over Trabzonspor – but he says Roy Hodgson’s side are in good shape and will take on big-spending City in fine fettle (Liverpool to win 3-1 – 25/1).

The England man, who is suspended for Monday night’s clash, said: “I’ll be cheering the lads on and I think we’ll do a good job.

“We are ready, we are getting stronger.

“It’s been a disjointed pre-season but we are getting fitter and fitter. The players are looking better every day.

“We are going there full of confidence after holding Arsenal to a draw.”

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Bellamy named Bluebirds skipper

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Wales striker Craig Bellamy has been named Cardiff City captain ahead of their Championship match against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday (Cardiff 10/11, draw 23/10, Doncaster 3/1).

Bellamy joined his home club on a season-long loan from Premier League big spenders Manchester City after he was pushed out of Roberto Mancini’s plans for the season.

The 31-year-old striker hinted that he would not be in the Italian manager’s 25-man squad for the Premier League campaign and therefore decided that he would take a step down to the Championship.

Bellamy will take the captain’s armband from Mark Hudson who will remain as club captain for the rest of the season.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones will be looking to use the experience of his new signing as Cardiff (9/1 to win the Championship) look to gain promotion this season.

He said: “Huds is still club captain and Craig will be team captain, it’ll be no different to any other football club, you normally have two and it was an easy decision that Mark made.

“We’ve been fortunate to acquire a top player from the Premiership. Last time I looked at him he still had one nose, two eyes and two ears so he’s no different to anybody else in the camp,” he added.

The loan deal which brought Bellamy to Cardiff has angered a number of clubs including SPL side Motherwell who claim they are owed money by the Welsh side.

Cardiff did fear that the Football League would not allow the striker to play until the club had explained how they could afford his services after their well publicised financial problems.

However, the former Newcastle United and Liverpool player has been given permission to play as Cardiff take on Doncaster this weekend.

Jones believes Bellamy will fit straight into the side as he takes on his captain’s role.

He said: “He knows the boys. He’s been around with the Welsh squad and he’s been training with us in the past many times when he’s been given permission.

“He knows his way around and that makes life a little bit easier.

“It’s not just all about Craig. We’ve got a lot of other players here and we are a team, we are a close-knit team and he will add to that,” he added.

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Fergie reveals Rio hopes

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Sir Alex Ferguson says he doesn’t expect Rio Ferdinand to pull on a Manchester United (2/1 Premier League winners) shirt before the end of September as the England skipper struggles to overcome a knee injury.

The 31-year-old picked up the problem while on international duty with the Three Lions at the World Cup.

The injury ruled the former West Ham and Leeds centre-half out of the entire tournament, just weeks after he had returned to full fitness after a domestic season plagued by injury.

Ferdinand made just 21 appearances for United in all competitions last season as he was dogged by a persistent back problem.

Ferdinand’s injuries compounded a difficult season for Ferguson as he lost a number of his top defenders to injury, being forced to play the likes of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher in his back four at times.

The centre-back was expected to be fit for the start of the new season but his return date has now been put back until the end of September as he struggles to get fit.

Ferguson says he isn’t worried about the amount of time Ferdinand has spent on the sidelines and believes his recovery is on course.

“We are still thinking the end of September for Rio,” said the United boss.

“It was a medial ligament problem rather than a cruciate, so the recovery time is exactly what we thought.

“It was a freak. It is nothing to do with his back. We just had to treat it the proper way. These things are never easy.”

The latest update on Ferdinand’s fitness means he will miss England’s first two Euro 2012 qualifiers in September as Fabio Capello’s men face Bulgaria (8/1 to win Group G) and Switzerland (5/1).

The injury also means that United will be without their defensive stalwart for the big game against Liverpool on September 19.

While United fans remain concerned about Ferdinand’s fitness Ferguson has moved to ease their fears over a number of other players, including midfielder Anderson.

The Brazilian has returned to training this week after a knee injury and the United boss hopes he could be back in first team contention after September’s international break.

Left-back Patrice Evra has also been given a clean bill ahead of Sunday’s game with Fulham (4/1 to beat United), the France international having fully recovered from a nasty collision with the advertising hoardings during Monday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle.

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Martinez wants ‘perfect’ response

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Roberto Martinez has admitted his side will need to be “perfect” if they are to beat Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday as he warned Wigan (14/1 in the match betting) they must put on a much better show than the dreadful 4-0 reverse against Blackpool last weekend.

Wigan were humbled by the newly-promoted Seasiders in what was the shock result on the opening-day of the Premier League season last Saturday.

Martinez’s men will be desperate to bounce back this weekend but face the toughest of tests when champions Chelsea visit the DW Stadium for Saturday’s evening kick off.

The Wigan boss has nothing but admiration for Carlo Ancelotti’s side and is well aware how difficult a game it will be for his side, but he insists if they can perform to their best then Latics can be a match for anyone in the division.

“Chelsea in my eyes have the strongest squad in the league, but we’re ready to react from our disappointment and be competitive in a game we showed last season we’re capable of winning,” said Martinez on the club’s website.

“They’ve been working together as a squad for a number of seasons and have had tremendous results.

“Everything you look for in a successful team; experience, strength, power and quality they possess in big amounts.”

Martinez only has injury worries over Gary Caldwell and Victor Moses ahead of the game and he wants his side to put on as good a performance as possible to at least give themselves a chance of causing an upset themselves on week two of the Premier League (Wigan 6/5 to be relegated).

“We need to be perfect in everything we do, learning lessons from last weekend’s game,” he added.

“Overall last season gave us the experience of how to play against these sides. But we have to match them off the ball and work really hard. We have enough quality to create chances and score goals, but everything else needs to be perfect as well.”

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Hodgson frustrated with win

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Boss Roy Hodgson has admitted his Liverpool side now face a tough task of qualifying for the Europa League after they could only manage a 1-0 first-leg win in their play-off over Trabzonspor on Thursday night.

The Reds made hard work of seeing off their dogged opponents at Anfield and only have Ryan Babel’s goal on the stroke of half-time to show for their efforts, with a tricky trip to Turkey to come next week.

Hodgson’s side should have added to their lead in the second half but Joe Cole missed a penalty and plenty of chances went begging, with Lucas, Fernando Torres and debutant Christian Poulsen all guilty of wasting good opportunities.

Afterwards Hodgson, who rested regulars Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson in the game, admitted he was disappointed Liverpool could only secure a one-goal lead to take into the second leg and was particularly frustrated at the missed spot-kick.

“I think we probably deserved to win by more but we must blame ourselves,” he said.

“We missed a penalty and if you miss penalties then you can’t blame anyone but yourself.

“We discussed penalties before the game and who would take them, and we’d decided on Joe.”

Hodgson was hoping for at least a second goal to give the Reds a decent cushion but it failed to materialise and now he is well aware they will be tested in Turkey as they aim to book their place in the group stage of the Europa League.

“With the second-half performance we did deserve the second goal that would have made the trip to Turkey much more comfortable.

“Now it won’t be comfortable at all,” he added.

Next up for Liverpool is a Premier League trip to fellow top-four hopefuls Manchester City on Monday night (City 13/10, Liverpool 19/10 to win)

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Hodgson wants Premier prize

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Liverpool take on Turkish outfit Trabzonspor tonight in a Europa League qualifier (Match Betting – Liverpool 1/4, draw 9/2, Trabzonspor 11/1) but manager Roy Hodgson admits his focus is on the Premier League.

The Anfield boss was in charge of Fulham last season as he guided them to the final of the same competition but when asked what his priority was Hodgson confirmed the league was more important, but he is still targeting European success (Liverpool 12/1 – Premier League outright).

“If you are going to prioritise you would prioritise the league always,” explained Hodgson.

“You would like to do both but if one was forced to choose one, you would prioritise the Premier League.”

Hodgson’s comments came after he was asked whether Spanish striker Fernando Torres would be fit to face Trabzonspor. Liverpool’s star man came off the bench in the Reds’ season opener against Arsenal last weekend but he may not be risked tonight as Hodgson is eager for the forward to be fit to face Manchester City on Monday.

However, Hodgson revealed Torres is eager to play some part against the Turkish side and hinted he may be handed a place on the bench.

“We don’t want to throw him in too early but he is very keen to get back in,” Hodgson said of Torres.

The Liverpool boss will be without the services of midfielder Javier Mascherano and defender Daniel Agger.  Both suffered knocks in the 1-1 draw with the Gunners and are set to miss out tonight.  Mascherano’s place looks set to be taken by new-boy Christian Poulsen, while Fabio Aurelio is in line to fill in for Agger at left-back for the Europa League tie (Liverpool 9/1 – Europa League outright).

Mascherano is still expected to depart Anfield before the transfer window closes on September 1 but Hodgson will not allow the Argentine star to leave on the cheap.  Since his switch from West Ham, Mascherano has established himself as one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League and Hodgson is adamant the club will receive a fair price for one of their prize assets.

“He hopes that a club comes in where he could be reunited with his family – which is the major problem for him – that offers us what he is worth and we accept that,” said Hodgson when asked about the situation regarding Mascherano.

“But he has also made it clear that he doesn’t regard it as a hardship to play for Liverpool Football Club. In fact, it’s the reverse. It’s because of family matters that he wants to go.”

Denmark international Poulsen has been brought in by Hodgson to replace Mascherano if the Argentina international can find a new club.  Former Anfield boss Rafael Bentiez, now in charge of Inter Milan, has been linked with a swoop for Mascherano but so far the Italian giants have been unable to agree a fee with Liverpool.

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Syed hoping to tempt Beckham

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Ahsan Ali Syed has admitted that his main target for Blackburn would be David Beckham if he is successful in his takeover of the Lancashire club (Blackburn 66/1 – Top-4 Finish).

The Indian businessman is in talks with Rovers over a possible £300million deal and this could see him pledge an initial £100million for new players.

This means that the former Manchester United star, who has not played in the Premier League since leaving Old Trafford seven years ago, is a realistic target for the Ewood Park side.

Discussions between Syed’s investment firm Western Gulf Advisory and Blackburn were described as “cordial and productive” earlier in the week. If an agreement can be reached, Beckham’s signing could pave the way for more big names at the club but manager Sam Allardyce has stressed the importance of getting value for money.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 36-year-old Syed justified his love of Beckham and hinted why he is interested in swooping for the LA Galaxy star.

He said: “I was 26 when I started following the Premier League. I used to like Blackburn back then and also used to follow Manchester United’s fortunes because of David Beckham.

“If my finances allow and his intentions are positive then I would love to take Beckham.”

Meanwhile, although Allardyce insists that the takeover could bring “great success” to the club, he admits he would have to persuade any new owner that he would not be willing to pay over-the-odds for players. He also stated that he would like to build the club slowly with any money that is available to him and that big-money spending would have to be justifiable to the fans.

Allardyce expressed his belief that the money being talked about is small compared to the mega-money that is available to some other Premier League sides, singling out what Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have spent in recent times.

He also stated that any comparisons between Syed and Jack Walker – the steel magnate whose investment aided Rovers’ successful Premier League title bid 15 years ago – are moot because back then, Walker was the biggest spender in the Premier League.

Accepting that Walker practically bought a whole team with then-manager Kenny Dalglish, Allardyce stressed that any foreign investment would need to be spent wisely.

He said: “It is fantastic money for a club like ours, but it is still, in terms of the top boys, not (enough to make) as big an impression as they have made over the last few years.

“The numbers that are being talked about at Blackburn, while fantastic to get us close, are not (equivalent to) the sort of money that Jack Walker first put in, which was more than everyone else at the time.”

Blackburn are currently 2000/1 to win the Premier League but these odds could shorten significantly should any takeover be completed.

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Special One the key for Ozil

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Mesut OzilGermany international Mesut Ozil has explained his decision to move to the Bernabeu and admits the lure of working with boss Jose Mourinho was the deciding factor in his move to Real Madrid (Evens 2010-11 La Liga Outright).

The youngster impressed at this summer’s World Cup and emerged as one of Germany’s star performers in South Africa, as Joachim Loew’s men reached the last four.

Ozil was linked with moves to Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as Spanish champions Barcelona, but instead chose to make the move to Madrid.

Real paid Werder Bremen a reported €15million (approx £12.3m) for the 21-year-old’s signature and Ozil admits Mourinho was the reason he chose to make the switch to the Spanish giants.

“There was no other option than to play for Real Madrid. I knew that I wanted to play in the best team in the world and for the best coach. And for me Mourinho is the best, and I wanted to play with him,” revealed Ozil in a press conference.

“We talked, but what we said is between us. What I can say is I talked with him and he persuaded me.”

Real have watched bitter rivals Barcelona lift the Spanish title for the last two consecutive seasons, while they have not enjoyed Champions League success since 2002, but Ozil is confident that under Mourinho the Madrid side can secure some major silverware.

He added:  “We want to win the League and the Champions League. I think we have the potential and quality necessary to fight for the two competitions. I came here to win titles.”

Since his arrival in the Spanish capital, Mourinho has been busy in the transfer market as he bids to bring the title back to the Bernabeu.  The ‘Special One’ has added World Cup stars Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria to his squad, with German defensive midfielder Khedira making the move from Stuttgart and Argentine winger Di Maria joining from Benfica.

Pedro Leon has also joined from Getafe, while Sergio Canales signed from Racing Santander and big things are expected from the creative midfielder.

Mourinho has also captured Ricardo Carvalho to bolster his defence, having worked with the veteran Portuguese star before at Porto and Chelsea, as he reshapes the Real squad (4/1 to win the 2010-11 Champions League).

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Milner sets City honours target

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New Manchester City signing James Milner has revealed that manager Roberto Mancini has told him to be prepared to win the Premier League this season (City 8/1 Premier League – outright).

The England international finally completed his protracted move to Eastlands late on Wednesday after a summer of speculation which has dominated the back pages.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the mega-rich club after his reported £24million transfer was completed, a move which saw Stephen Ireland go the other way and join Aston Villa (11/8 – 90 minutes v Rapid Vienna).

The former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder becomes City’s sixth major signing of the summer with Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balottelli having already completed multi-million pound moves to Eastlands.

Milner is likely to have a real battle on his hands to secure a regular starting sport in Mancini’s side, despite having been a vital cog in the Villa machine for the past two years.

However, Milner is adaptable and is able to play anywhere in midfield having featured for Villa and Newcastle out wide and in the centre of the park.

Milner insists the best is yet to come from him and believes this move will stand him a good chance of securing trophies for years to come, including his ultimate goal, the Premier League.

“It didn’t take too much selling by the boss when you see the players who are already here and the plans for the club,” he told City’s official website.

“The last thing he said to me was ‘be ready for the next game’, and then he said ‘be ready to win the Premier League’, and that’s my ultimate aim – that’s what I want to do and why I’m here.

“I’m ambitious and I want to win trophies here. I believe this is a great place to do that and I believe we will do it. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

Having only completed his move late on Wednesday Milner will play no part in City’s Europa League play-off clash with FC Timisoara (4/1 – 90 minutes v City) with the rest of the team having flown out to Romania the same day.

Milner is more likely to make his debut in the massive game against Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday night, when City will be looking to lay down a marker against one of their top-four rivals.

Thursday’s European game represents more of a distraction for City than anything else with the club’s owners keen for them to at least secure Champions League football this season.

Even a weakened side City should have too much firepower for their opponents, especially since Timisoara have struggled in recent European outings, scoring nine goals in their last 15 matches.

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