Tag Archives: dismisses

Redknapp dismisses Bale exit

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Tottenham Hotspur (10/3 to finish in the top four) boss Harry Redknapp has denied speculation that left-back Gareth Bale could be leaving the club for Real Madrid.

Newly-appointed Real manager Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move for the Wales international in the January transfer window.

The former Chelsea boss has been looking to bolster his defensive options at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole also being linked with a move to the Spanish giants.

However, Redknapp has insisted that he will not be letting Bale leave north London.

He said: “I read in the papers the other day that Gareth’s performances for Spurs have already caught the attention of other teams around the world – including Real Madrid  and their manager, a certain Jose Mourinho.

“Jose certainly knows a player when he sees one. But one thing is for sure. I am not letting Gareth go anywhere.

“Tottenham is a team on the up and we are building something at White Hart Lane,” he added.

Bale has had a strong start to the Premier League season, scoring three goals including one in the Champions League against Dutch side FC Twente.

The 21-year-old has developed into a great player for Spurs since he joined the North London club in 2007 from Southampton.

Initially Bale struggled to cope with life in the Premier League and had an astonishing run of not being part of a winning Spurs side.

However, the Welshman has improved greatly and Redknapp believes he is one of the best players in the top flight.

He said: “I do not make comparisons lightly but he and Ashley Cole are quite similar and that can only be a massive compliment to Gareth.

“My left-back at Tottenham has come through an amazing 12 months and matured into one of the best players in his position in the world.

“Just over a year ago, he had this awful jinx hanging over him where he had not played in a winning Spurs team,” he added.

Spurs will be hoping that Bale can continue his good form this season when they take on Aston Villa at White Hart Lane on Saturday (Tottenham Hotspur 20/21, draw 12/5, Aston Villa).

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Owen dismisses rivals

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Manchester United striker Michael Owen has brushed off the idea that the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool will challenge for the Premier League title this season (United 9/4 – Premier League outright).

Last season saw Chelsea pip United to the title on the last day of the season after the race for top spot developed into a two-horse contest.

The likes of Arsenal and City had been up there at times but eventually fell away as the two sides who have dominated the league for the last five years continued their stranglehold on the silverware.

Chelsea claimed a domestic double by winning the league and FA Cup, while United took the honours in the Carling Cup.

Speaking ahead of United’s first game of the season against his former club Newcastle (12/1 – 90 minutes) Owen said he expected the same sides to continue their dominance of the English game for another year.

“I see United and Chelsea as the two teams to aim at,” he told the Daily Mirror. “If someone else wins, then obviously they would have had a fantastic season.

“But between us we’ve won it over the last half a dozen years and it would take a very good team to have a very good season to finish above us.

“Every season you look for new challenges, to see who could emerge from the pack. But Chelsea have to be the benchmark. They won the league last year and they’re the champions. If anyone finishes above them, they’ll win the league.”

Owen’s point about Chelsea being United’s only challenger was emphasised by results at the weekend when the Blues hammered West Brom 6-0 while the other contenders could only draw.

While the likes of City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal faced tough games against one another Chelsea laid down an early-season marker with their demolition of the newly-promoted Baggies (3/4 – to be relegated).

United will be looking to do the same against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday as they look to keep up their impressive record against the Toon.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side haven’t lost to the Tyneside-outfit since 2001 and will be confident of recording another victory over last year’s Championship winners, who are missing a host of first-team players.

Newcastle will be without Leon Best, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor and Dan Gosling, while Alan Smith is also a doubt.

United have a few problems of their own with Rio Ferdinand, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves all missing out.

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Gerrard dismisses favour talk

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Liverpool captain Steven GerrardLiverpool captain Steven Gerrard has insisted the Reds are totally focused on winning their matches against Chelsea (5/6 to win in the match betting) in order to end their home campaign on a high.

The Reds welcome the Blues to Anfield on Sunday knowing only a win can keep their slim hopes of finishing in the top four alive following Saturday’s results.

Fourth place Tottenham (4/5 top four finish) are now five points clear of Liverpool with two to play following their win over Bolton, with Manchester City a further point back on the north London side.

The Reds now have to win their two remaining matches and hope results go their way to have any chance of finishing in the top four and avoid missing out on the Champions League income.

Rumours continue to dominate the newspapers that the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could be put up for sale should they miss out on a top four finish, with the Liverpool’s American owners keen to finance the club’s massive debts.

Manager Rafael Benitez has added to the turmoil on Merseyside by failing to clarify whether he will be at the club next season, the Spaniard having been linked with Juventus and Real Madrid in the past month.

With the season drawing to a disappointing close the Reds have the chance to end their home campaign on a high by beating title chasing Chelsea (1/2 to win the Premier League outright) this weekend.

However, should they beat the Blues they could hand the advantage to their greatest rivals Manchester United heading into the final day of the season.

United are looking to win their 19th league title, a feat that would eclipse Liverpool’s record of 18 English championships.

United’s attempts to overhaul the Reds title record has lead to some sections of the Anfield faithful to call for their team to lose to Chelsea on Sunday in order to prevent Sir Alex Ferguson’s winning yet another domestic title.

However, Gerrard has dismissed the idea of doing Chelsea a favour and says his side are just focused on winning the match, not on what other sides need.

“My only thoughts on the Chelsea game is to win it,” said Gerrard.

“We owe it to our supporters to try and finish the season with two wins. I know there has been a lot of speculation in the media about us going to take our foot off the gas and try and do Chelsea a favour. Well that won’t be happening.

“I can understand fans talking about it because I’m a fan myself. But we are professionals and we get brought up at Liverpool FC with a winning mentality.”

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