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Rivals ready Gerrard raid

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Manchester City are reportedly preparing an audacious summer raid on Liverpool for Steven Gerrard to boost their Premier League title ambitions for next season (City 6/1 Premier League Outright 2010/2011).

City boss Roberto Mancini has been linked to a myriad of players already this summer and looks set to be handed a blank cheque book to ensure the Eastlands outfit do not miss out on at least a top-four Champions League place next term. And reports suggest that Gerrard could be his top target with a big-money offer and fellow midfielder Steven Ireland set to be included as part of a deal to take the England skipper the short journey across the North-West.

The main problem for City is that new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is also thought to be plotting a move to take Gerrard to the Spanish Primera Liga having just missed out on his signature when in charge at Chelsea.

Mourinho, who won an historic treble with Italian giants Inter Milan last season, appears to see Gerrard as the missing link at the Bernabeu as he looks to lead them to domestic and European success in his first campaign at the helm.

Therefore a scramble looks like ensuing as soon as Gerrard’s involvement in England’s bid for World Cup glory (England 8/1 Outright Winner) in South Africa comes to an end.

It is not known if Liverpool would cash in on Gerrard or if the player will express a desire to quit Anfield following a disappointing season in which they missed out on Champions League football and then Rafael Benitez’s subsequent departure.

The Reds are still searching for a replacement for Benitez and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was one of the favourites to take the job. However Cottagers owner Mohamed Al Fayed remains confident he will stay put following a successful past season at Craven Cottage.

He said: “I don’t think he’ll leave me.

“I’m sure he’ll have lots of approaches from other clubs, but I give him anything he wants to reach results and we have a very good relationship.”

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Cahill off in Germany rout

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Germany produced the best performance by any team at the World Cup so far by destroying Australia 4-0 (9/1 Germany – World Cup 2010 – outright).

The three-time winners had the game in the bag at 2-0 up at half-time – and Tim Cahill was sent off in the 57th minute to end any Socceroos resistance.

Two goals in the space of two minutes put the seal on Germany’s superb performance and made it the worst result in Pim Verbeek’s reign for Australia.

Young German midfield playmaker Mesut Ozil had the Socceroos in disarray throughout the match as he created numerous chances for the forwards.

Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose accepted those chances in the first half, Podolski striking after eight minutes after Ozil found Muller and the winger pulled back for Podolski’s cool finish.

From there it was all Germany, and Mueller created the second after 26 minutes for Klose.

His perfect cross found Klose steaming in ahead of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to head home for the Germany’s 11th goal in World Cup finals.

Germany could have easily had a third by half-time, but Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill cleared off the line as Ozil threaded a ball past Schwarzer towards goal.

The rout continued after the break as Australia were forced to commit men forward to chase a goal.

Then after Cahill was red-carded by Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez to leave them with 10 men, an inevitable third came as more sparkling German movement led to Muller slotting home in the 68th minute.

Substitute Cacau added a fourth two minutes later set up by Ozil, who was mercifully substituted with 15 minutes remaining to give Australia’s defence some respite.

Germany now sit top of Group D, with Ghana – who beat Serbia 1-0 in Pretoria earlier on Sunday – also on three points (2/9 Germany – Group D winners).

The Socceroos’ next World Cup match is against Ghana in Rustenburg on June 19, which Cahill will now miss because of an automatic one-match ban for his send-off.

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Maradona demands ‘fair play’

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Argentina coach Diego Maradona has made a plea to all nations for fair play during the World Cup (4/9 Argentina 16/5 draw 13/2 Nigeria – match betting).

Maradona, who scored the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in 1986, made the appeal at his press conference ahead of Argentina’s opening group B match against Nigeria in Johannesburg on Saturday.

“Let there really be fair play, let the referees understand what the words fair play mean.”

Maradona, who captained the Argentineans to World Cup glory in 1986 and led them to the final four years later, claimed he had fallen foul to the more unsporting side of the game during his side’s opening game in 1990 against Cameroon.

“When the fair play [slogan] was introduced in 1990 I was kicked so hard they almost knocked my head off against Cameroon,” Maradona said

Cameroon went on to win that game 1-0 thanks to an Emanuel Kunde goal despite having two players sent off. Despite the loss, Argentina went on to finish runners up, losing out to West Germany 1-0 in the final.

Maradona also told the press that he believed that the finals could see Lionel Messi cement his place in footballing history and could even see him eclipse Maradona himself as the greatest Argentinean to play the game.

Argentina go into the game on the back of a 5-0 victory against Canada and will be looking for their third tournament victory after coming out on top in 1978 and 1986.

One of the main talking points in the build-up to the tournament has been Maradona’s selection policy which has seen him leave out Champions League winners Estaban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti in favour of a number of Argentinean based players.

The Albiceste are expected to start with a three man attack with Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain playing through the middle and Lionel Messi (11/8 L Messi 5/4 D Villa 3/1 draw – Goalscorer Match Bet) and Carlos Tevez playing in the wide positions.

The experienced pair of Walter Samuel and Martin Demechlis are likely to partner each other in defence while the experienced Juan Sebastian Veron is expected to start alongside the skipper Javier Macherano in the midfield.

There is a slight doubt over right-back Nicolas Otamendi and Newcastle’s Jonas Guiteirrez is likely to deputise.

Nigeria are without their talisman John Obi Mikel, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee problem. His place is likely to be taken by Monaco midfielder Lukman Haruma, while Chinedu Obasi is likely to get the nod up front alongside Yakubu.

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Green moves on

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Robert GreenEngland (now 15/2 to win the World Cup) and West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green has put his World Cup mistake behind him after allowing a long-distance shot slip through his hands against the USA on Saturday.

Green was selected ahead of David James and Joe Hart, and enjoyed a solid performance except for his one howler which ultimately cost the Three Lions all three points in their opening Group C game in Rustenburg.

The Hammers shot stopper recovered from his earlier mistake in the second half with a good save from USA striker Jozy Altidore’s shot.

Green was quick to come out and speak to the media after the game, stating that he can handle the criticism that will be coming his way after the huge error.

He said: “It’s not something you can allow to affect yourself.

“In the next 50 minutes, I felt confident, I felt fine.

“It’s about being steady and taking the rough with the smooth, but that’s life as a goalkeeper.

“I’ve been in this situation before and it’s about holding your head up high, facing you guys (the media), taking the flak which is going to come. That’s life,” he added.

England took an early lead in the match thanks to a goal from captain Steven Gerrard who slotted the ball home after a good pass from Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey.

The Liverpool midfielder backed his keeper after the game and is confident that the player will bounce back from the mistake.

He said: “It was one of those freak things, I don’t think you can criticise the keeper. People have been talking about the ball and it is tricky.

“Rob will learn from this and he might make an important save that wins us a match. We’re all behind him. It was a bit of shock and it took us a while to get over it.”

Fabio Capello now has to make a decision on whether Green will keep his place in the starting line up or to start James or Hart in the second game on Friday.

England (1/14 to qualify from Group C) will be looking towards their next game against Algeria and they could be without a couple of players through injury.

James Milner was brought off after 30 minutes during the USA match after the Aston Villa midfielder struggled on the left wing.

It is not certain whether the temperature that the player has suffered with got the better of him or if he struggled with the pace in the game after picking up a yellow card for a mistimed challenge.

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Wenger ready for “intense” campaign

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has predicted a tight contest in next season’s Premier League title race (Arsenal 6/1 to win the Premier League title).

The French tactician believes the likes of Aston Villa (200/1), Spurs (50/1) and Manchester City (6/1) will join the usual suspects in the battle for the league next season and believes the campaign will be more “intense” than last season.

“It will without a doubt be more intense,” said Wenger. “You have Aston Villa, you have Man City, you have Tottenham and you have Liverpool (10/1) plus the top three from last season, so it will always be more difficult.”

Wenger’s men managed to keep up with the pace set by Manchester United (2/1) and Chelsea (13/8f) until around April last season, when an injury to Cesc Fabregas in their Champions League defeat to Barcelona proved costly for the Gunners.

Fabregas is expected to move back to Camp Nou, having spent his youth career with Barcelona, during the summer, although Wenger has still not given up hope of retaining the Spaniard’s services.  The loss of Fabregas will surely dent Arsenal’s hopes ahead of next season, although they can expect to receive a hefty-fee for the midfielder as he still has a number of years left on his current deal.

The Arsenal chief has hinted he is ready to spend big this summer in a bid to bring the title back to the Emirates, with the Gunners last Premier League title success coming in the 2003/2004 season. Wenger has already added striker Marouane Chamakh to his ranks, the Moroccan hitman operates as a target man and many suggested that was an aspect the Arsenal side had been lacking over the course of last season.

The Frenchman has also stated he is keen to bolster his defence, with Bolton?s Gary Cahill and Fulham?s Brede Hangeland linked, while Barca?s Yaya Toure has also been tipped to head to north London during the summer.

Wenger will be keen to add some silverware to the Arsenal trophy cabinet next season, with their last title the 2004 FA Cup, but he is well aware it will be tough in the 2010/2011 campaign.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has already proved a shrewd operator in the transfer market with the acquisition of promising youngster Adam Johnson, who narrowly missed out on a place in the England World Cup squad.  Mancini is sure to be busy this summer as he looks to mould a side of his own at Eastlands and a number of top stars have been linked with a move to City.

Chelsea and Manchester United will again be strong, despite the latter?s reported financial worries, while Liverpool remain an unknown quantity until they appoint a new boss (Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is the 10/11f to take charge at Anfield) and the futures of stars such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are resolved.

Spurs showed their quality throughout last season but with wins against Arsenal and Chelsea in the final stages of the season they perhaps suggested they could push on again next season, although Villa boss Martin O?Neill may be more concerned about keeping hold of his stars, with James Milner attracting interest, than securing new additions at this stage.

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Loew looking to “embarrass” sides

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Germany coach Joachim LowGermany coach Joachim Loew has called on his players to “embarrass” their opponents during the World Cup.

The Germans open their campaign against Australia in Durban on Sunday before going on to face Ghana and Serbia in their other Group D matches  (Germany 2/9 to qualify from Group D).

“We want to be able to embarrass opponents with our playing skills,” said Loew.

“We couldn’t have done any more up to this point. That’s why my conscience is clear and I have a really good feeling about the tournament.”

Loew, who took over from Jurgen Klinsman after Germany’s unsuccessful 2006 campaign, led Die Mannschaft to the final of Euro 2008 and Loew will be looking to carry on their success by winning  their fourth tournament after coming out on top in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

Germany go into the tournament on the back of a string of 3-0 victories against Malta, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Loew is confident his side can carry this form into the tournament.

“The team has been enthusiastic and ready to learn,” he added. “Now we are just correcting small errors. We are going into the tournament well prepared.”

Amongst the players Loew is placing his trust in is striker Miroslav Klose (33/1 for top goalscorer) who needs six goals in the tournament to become the highest scorer in the history of the World Cup. Klose was only a bit-part player in Bayern Munich’s double winning season which saw them win the German League and Cup as well as losing in the final of the Champions League.

However, he has remained a stalwart of the German side throughout qualifying and Loew believes the big striker is rediscovering the form that saw him win the Golden Boot in 2006.

“He (Klose) told me that he felt a lot better,” said Loew. “He was very agile, quick in his actions in training.

“He’s slowly getting his form back, and he’s getting fresher physically as well. Miro can still be very important to us.”

Klose is expected to start up-front on his own for the Germans against the Socceroos with support coming from young playmaker Memut Ozil. Ozil is one of a number of youngsters in line for their World Cup debuts, with midfilders Thomas Muller and Sam Khedira hoping for a start as well as new Manchester City signing Jerome Boateng who is looking to partner Per Mertesacker in the heart of the German defence.

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Drogba feeling the pressure

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Didier Drogba believes his side are under more pressure to succeed in the World Cup than England.

The 32-year-old picked up an injury in the Mighty Elephants’ warm-up game against Japan after a clash with Tulio. However, his presence is seen as essential to the Ivory Coast’s chances of progressing in the tournament from the ‘Group of Death’ that also includes Brazil, Portugal and North Korea (10/11 to qualify from Group G).

Drogba is seen as the leading light in what is being called the “Mighty Elephants’ Golden Generation” and says that people back home expect them to be able to compete with the top teams.

“The expectation back home is so high, higher than England,” he said.

“Most of our players play for big teams and have won things with big teams. But for the country we have won nothing.”

Ivory Coast go into the tournament with stars such as Solomon Kalou, the Toure brothers and Emmaunel Eboue, and after achieving so much as individuals, the players are now targeting the World Cup as their first chance of International silverware (Ivory Coast 50/1 to win the tournament).

Drogba also believes that the addition of Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach will be a deciding factor in whether or not the Ivory Coast have a successful campaign. Eriksson, who guided England to the quarter-finals in both 2002 and 2006, replaced Vahid Halilhodzic who was sacked in January after a disappointing African Cup of Nations and Drogba believes that the experienced Swede could be the difference between success and failure.

“Eriksson is one of the best managers on the market and has done a lot of good things with the England national team,” added Drogba in an interview on BBC World Service.

“He is a very good professional and with his experience I hope we can beat one or two big teams at the World Cup.

“He knows there is a lot of work to do, that’s why he started very quickly when he got the job.”

The Ivory Coast open their campaign on June 15 against Portugal in Port Elizabeth. They then meet Brazil in Johannesburg and face North Korea in their final group game in Durban.

Kolo Toure, who is set to deputise as skipper in Drogba’s absence, says he couldn’t agree more with the striker’s opinion.

“He’s a top-class manager, one of the best in the world. We have a big chance and a great manager. We might be considered outsiders but we can make it.”

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Robinho in shop window

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Manchester City star RobinhoRobinho (25/1 to be World Cup Top Goalscorer) has broken off from his World Cup focus to reveal he would be open to joining his former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster at Besiktas.

The Brazilian star is in the shop window after falling out of favour at Manchester City in January and spending the rest of the season on loan at his former club Santos.

Robinho, who joined the Premier League club for £32.5million, has spoken of his desire to join Barcelona but the Catalan club appear to have cooled their interest.

Schuster, who coached Real Madrid from 2007 to 2008, took charge of the Turkish side on Thursday and confirmed his interest in taking Robinho to the club.

And Robinho, speaking to reporters at the Brazilian training base ahead of their opening Group G clash with North Korea (28/1 to win in 90 minutes) revealed he is open to moving to Turkey.

“If Schuster is there, I could go too,” he said.

Team-mate Luis Fabiano claims he is not concerned by his lack of recent goals going into Tuesday’s opening match (Brazil 1/11, Draw 8/1 in 90 minutes betting).

The Sevilla star has not found the back of the net for his country in eight matches – dating back to a World Cup qualifier against Argentina in September.

“I know it’s normal, I have to keep trying and the ball will eventually go in,” he said. “I can’t worry about it, it’s how it goes for strikers.”

Luis Fabiano was Brazil’s top scorer in last year’s Confederations Cup with five goals, but failed to register in warm-up matches against Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

“I brought a DVD with my goals,” he joked. “I keep watching it from time to time.”

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Parreira pinpoints France showdown

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South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes his side has what it takes to make it through to the last 16 of the World Cup (13/8 to qualify from Group A).

The Bafana Bafana opened their Group A campaign on Friday with an encouraging 1-1 draw against Mexico at Soccer City. After a disappointing first-half performance, left winger Siphiwe Tshabalala put the hosts ahead on the hour with a fearsome left-footed strike. The goal appeared to spur on the hosts and South Africa started to gain more of a foothold in the match.

However, the Mexicans hit back through a Rafael Marquez goal 12 minutes from time but the South Africans came agonisingly close to stealing it when Katlego Mphela’s (200-1 Top Goalscorer) strike struck the post in the final seconds.

Despite the disappointment of the draw, Parreira remained upbeat about his side’s chances of making it through to the last 16.

“We could easily have won the game, but all in all a draw was a fair result,” said Brazilian Parreira. “We are still in the competition. This group is very tough.”

Parreira, who is coaching at his sixth World Cup, including coaching his native Brazil to victory in 1994, says his team initially froze under the pressure of being hosts as they were totally outplayed by the Mexicans in the first half and struggled with the expectations of their nation.

However, he says he was pleased by how his side adapted to the situation and did well to fight back well to put in a creditable performance in the second coming close to making a winning start to their campaign.

“The opening game is always a lot of pressure and today was no different,” the Brazilian said.

“Most of our team are a home-based team, players who are not used to this big environment, and we tried hard to adapt to this ambience, but after 15 minutes we started playing our game, putting the ball on the ground.”

Parrerira says the draw puts the South Africans in an ideal position to qualify from their group which also includes former winners France and Uruguay. No host nation has ever failed to qualify from the group stages and the Bafana Bafana coach is confident his side will not be the first and has pinpointed the final group game against France as the key match that will hopefully see them qualify for the knockout stages.

He added: “This group will be decided in the last game against France.”

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Cole reveals World Cup focus

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England midfielder Joe Cole says he will put to one side issues surrounding his club future and concentrate fully on World Cup duty over the next month (England 3/1 – to be top European team).

Chelsea announced on Wednesday that Cole would be leaving Stamford Bridge during the summer, but the player says his future in his agent’s hands.

He is looking forward to the World Cup, and says: “That’s all that is in my mind now.”

Cole added: “I’ve worked hard to be here and I’m leaving all the rest of it to my agent… It’s been going on for a while, but that is a story for another day. Right now, I am just happy to be here. And if I play it will be fantastic.”

The midfielder failed to hold down a regular place for Chelsea, England’s double-winning club champions and cup-holders, during an injury-hit season (13/8 Chelsea – Premier League outright 2010-11).

He underwent surgery on a knee last year and after months of recovery work found it difficult to regain a starting position for Chelsea. But he said he never accepted that his international future was bleak.

“No, I never feared my England days were over,” he told reporters. “I am very confident in my ability, but it was tough for the manager to pick me when I wasn’t playing regularly, rightly or wrongly, at club level.

“Yes, for this tournament I knew I might not make it, but not that it (international career) was over. Now, there is a chance I could be playing against America and for me that is fantastic.

“Now I am back to my best and want to show it at this World Cup and play better than I did at the last one.”

Cole said England coach Fabio Capello, in contrast to his predecessors, kept the players on their toes with his training, selection and discipline.

“The great thing with this squad now, which is different to the whole of my England career, is that you don’t know who this manager is going to pick,” he said.

“This is good and, in my experience, from club level, I’ve always found when that is the case, and players are not picked on reputation, but on form, fitness and temperament, these are the things that get a better team ethic and the team gels together.”

He added: “Fabio Capello is the best manager I have worked with for England.

“I put him alongside (Jose) Mourinho as one of the two best managers I have worked with. He has an aura.

“He knows his way round a football pitch, his tactical knowledge goes without saying and his preparation is spot-on. You don’t want to let him down.”

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