Tag Archives: eyes

Fabiano eyes United deal

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luis fabianoSevilla’s Brazilian international striker Luis Fabiano has revealed he will not sign for Tottenham as he wants to join a club like Manchester United where he feels he has a chance of winning the Premier League (United 2/1 Outright 2010/11).

The 29-year-old is currently looking to help Brazil clinch the World Cup (10/3 Winner) in South Africa and his two goals against Ivory Coast last Sunday ensured they went into the last-16 as group winners. However, beyond the tournament, Fabiano has stressed that he will not be signing a new contract at Sevilla as he wants to leave the Spanish Primera Liga side to secure a move to a team capable of winning top honours.

Tottenham, United and Italian giants AC Milan are said to be interested in taking Fabiano this summer, despite Sevilla stressing that they want to keep hold of him. And, while the player is looking to persuade his club to let him go, he will not entertain the idea of joining Harry Redknapp’s north Londoners because, “there would be no point me moving to a smaller team”.

Therefore it appears to be a straight choice between the Red Devils and Milan as Fabiano feels both clubs are capable of winning the Champions League next term. However the prospect of linking up with Wayne Rooney in United’s attack could sway him towards joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

He told the Daily Star Sunday: “I think the way Manchester United play football is very attractive, I must be honest and say Premier League football attracts me and also the way Manchester United play football attracts me.

“You think about being Wayne Rooney’s strike partner and that is very attractive for any striker. I think the style of Premier League football suits me and I think I could score goals and be very successful there.

“Their coach is a winner, their players are winners and they are one of the few teams in Europe challenging for the top honours season after season.”

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Messi eyes Fabregas reunion

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Argentina and Barcelona's Lionel MessiBarcelona superstar Lionel Messi admits he is desperate to be reunited with Cesc Fabregas at the Catalan giants next season after Arsenal turned down an opening offer for the 23-year-old Spain international (Arsenal 6/1 – Premier League 2010/11 Outright).

Messi and Fabregas were team-mates during their days as trainees with the Nou Camp outfit before the midfielder made the switch to north London as a 16-year-old where he has gone on to make his name as one of Europe’s best players.

And Messi insists Fabregas’ return would help Barca in their bitter battle against arch-rivals Real Madrid who have been linked with summer moves for Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole, among others, since Jose Mourinho was installed at the Bernabeu.

Messi told Sport: “I would like to play with Cesc again because I know him like (Gerard) Pique (from the youth team). We shared many things at that moment, when we coincided in Barca’s youth team, and I know what he can give on the pitch.”

Like Fabregas, Pique made the move away from Catalonia, to Manchester United, before returning to play a key role in defence over the last two seasons.

And Messi admits he and Fabregas are still in touch while claiming the Arsenal captain “wants to come to Barcelona”.

Messi added: “We speak and sometimes we send each other messages.

“He wants to come to Barcelona and we’re all waiting to see what will happen. I hope he ends up coming and that we can play together again.

“Nobody imagined that one day we could all be together in Barcelona’s first team, especially when Cesc and Pique left.

“For us to be together again would be special, a lovely situation for those of us that were there back then.”

Whether or not Fabregas is still on board remains to be seen, with Arsenal set to kick off their Premier League title challenge with a trip to Liverpool (Reds 5/4, draw 9/4, Gunners 7/4).

Totesport.com makes Chelsea the 13/8 favourites to retain their Premier League crown with Manchester United available at 2/1.

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NZ boss eyes more surprises

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New Zealand manager Ricki HerbertNew Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has hailed his side’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia on Tuesday as their “best ever result” as they look to make a surprise impact in the World Cup (NZ 50/1 to qualify from Group F).

Winston Reid was the New Zealand hero as he headed home an injury-time equaliser to cancel out Robert Vittek’s 50th-minute header for Slovakia in Rustenburg – a goal that secured their first-ever World Cup finals point.

Herbert’s men were expected to be among the first sides heading back home following the group stage in South Africa, but their performance in their Group F opener has raised expectations they can cause a few upsets along the way.

“We are very, very proud. You would have to say this is our best ever result,” said Herbert.

“We have come and thrown some extremely good punches and got what I thought was a fully deserved result.”

New Zealand now face current world champions Italy on Sunday in their next game and Herbert has been buoyed by their performance against Slovakia (NZ 18/1 to win, Italy 1/8, the draw 6/1).

“I thought the opening game was a good chance to get something and I would have been disappointed with a loss after conceding a goal like that,” he added.

“But we kept coming, the boys kept coming. We came across with the intention to make a difference and we certainly did that against a highly-rated team.”

Despite his joy at the draw, Herbert is well aware his side’s next two games – against Italy and Paraguay – will be extremely difficult.

“We still have two heavyweights to go and they will be tough,” he added.

“I think we showed the kind of football we play now is conducive to results.

“Some of the quality of the movement up front could be better and we’ll work on that.”

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Neill eyes Germany result

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Australia captain Lucas Neill says a draw with Germany in their opening World Cup match would be an acceptable result (Germany 1 /2, Australia 6/1, draw 3/1).

The Socceroos star admitted the Germans were a better side overall, and said: “A draw would be a fantastic result. Germany are a superior team to Australia.”

Neill added: “Clearly they are favourites and we have the underdogs tag.

“Their record suggests they are the most consistent team in world football, and the pressure is on them to win.

“Nobody in the world, apart from our team, expects us to beat them.”

The game will be important to Australia’s chances of progressing from Group D in South Africa, says Neil.

“If we draw it means other results can go for us and against us and we’ve still got everything in our own hands,” he said.

“If we manage to win, we will shock the world.”

Midfielder Mark Bresciano was quick to agree with his captain.

“Yes, yes, I would definitely take it (a draw),” he said. “Germany are a very hard team to beat so a draw would be a massive result for us.

“It would be a very positive start, knowing we would then have two games to go (against Ghana and Serbia) to try to scrape a win.

“Getting any result, apart from a loss, would be good.”

Australia coach Pim Verbeek now has to choose his best side to face the Germans, and he may well have a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Tim Cahill appears to be over the effects of a neck injury, and Brett Emerton is expected to be fully fit despite a troublesome calf.

Verbeek now has to choose his striking options, whether to give Galatasaray star Harry Kewell the nod or go with Josh Kennedy.

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Guardado eyes World Cup “revelation”

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Midfielder Andres Guardado admits Mexico must deal with massive expectation levels as the Central Americans bid to qualify from Group A at the World Cup finals in South Africa (Mexico 66/1 – Tournament Outright).

‘El Tri’ have traditionally struggled to make an impact in the knockout stage of the competition and their last appearance in the quarter-finals came on home soil in 1986.

In the last four World Cups – they were banned in 1990 for fielding over-age players at the 1988 Olympic Games – Mexico have been dumped out at the round of 16 stage, but that has not stopped the country from going crazy again this time around.

And Guardado, who plies his trade in Spain for Deportivo La Coruna, has lifted the lid on just what it means to the Mexicans when they strut their stuff on the biggest stage of all.

“You try to get on with your job and put all that out of your mind but the whole country comes to a standstill whenever the national side is playing,” he told FIFA’s website.

“Sometimes other people just don’t understand the level of passion among Mexico fans. The cities are like ghost towns, every TV set is showing the Mexico game and the presenters on all the TV programmes, even the non-sports shows, are wearing Mexico shirts.

“Everyone has an opinion and obviously that creates pressure for us. Our job is to get that out of our heads and try to be calm as possible out on the pitch.”

Mexico have been drawn in Group A alongside host nation South Africa, 2006 finalists France and Uruguay.

Javier Aguirre’s men are 3/1 to top their group with Les Bleus the even-money favourites to qualify in pole position.

And Guardado concedes that the make-up of the group will make for a tough three games before Mexico can even think of the last-16 stage.

He added: “The host nation always tends to do well at the World Cup. Then there?s France, who have got players of the calibre of [Yoann] Gourcuff, [Franck] Ribery and William [Gallas].

“And even though the Uruguayans never arrive at the finals in good form they are always really tough opponents. What I’m most excited about though, is the Opening Match.

“The whole world will be watching us and I think any country would love to have that opportunity.

“I don’t like to set limits.

“There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us much chance of getting through to the next round or the quarter-finals, we are confident we can be the revelations of the World Cup.”

Mexico continue their build-up with a friendly clash against England at Wembley on Monday night.

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Trapattoni eyes Irish win

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giovani trapattoniGiovanni Trapattoni has informed his Republic of Ireland players there is no such thing as a friendly game as they prepare to face Paraguay (9/5 to beat Ireland) at Dublin’s Showground.

The Irish can count themselves as very unfortunate not to be joining Tuesday’s South American opponents in the World Cup finals this summer, following Thierry Henry’s handball during their play-off game with France (16/1 to win the World Cup).

Ireland were on course for their first visit to a major tournament since the 2002 World Cup until Henry’s handball set up William Gallas to send the 1998 world champions to South Africa instead.

They should be preparing for the finals but Ireland will now provide the opposition for two sides who will be heading to Africa, as they face Paraguay on Tuesday followed by Algeria later on in the week.

Trapattoni has said that he hopes his players will be able to put the hurt of the play-offs behind them as they build for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The 71-year-old Italian was full of praise for his current crop of players ahead of this week’s friendly matches and the start of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, which begins in September.

“We could see immediately we are not on holiday. They came here not on holiday,” said Trapattoni.

“I have said for the last two years, when you wear this shirt, there is no such thing as a friendly game because it’s our pride and the mentality of our country that is important. We have to build our mentality. I am not arrogant, but we are sure we have a strong team.

“Today I spoke with Marco [Tardelli, assistant manager] and we were saying this group [of players] is a great group – they showed us that against Brazil, against Italy and against France. They played better than or at the same level as those teams.”

Ireland (6/4 to qualify for Euro 2012) will fancy their chances of securing a top-two finish in their Euro 2012 group, having been drawn with Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.

Despite avoiding many of the big nations in the draw, Trapattoni believes qualification will be a big ask and has said his players need to carry some momentum into their qualifiers.

“I know the group will be difficult and we will been all our players to be fit, but I have seen many games and I think we can qualify because this group is strong,” he added.

Despite the likes of Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Aiden McGeady and Kevin Kilbane being unavailable for the visit of Paraguay, Trapattoni is set to start the game with an experienced eleven.

Skipper Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, John O’Shea, Kevin Doyle, Glen Whelan and Sean St Ledger will all start while Coventry keeper Kieran Westwood will win his fourth cap as he comes in for the injured Given.

Ireland’s preparations for the game have been overshadowed by the injury Everton youngster Shane Duffy suffered during a practice game, the 18-year-old needing life saving surgery after a horrible collision.

While Duffy remains in an intensive care unit in a Dublin hospital he has been told he will play football again, despite losing two-thirds of his blood in the accident.

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Huddlestone eyes Champions League chance

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Huddlestone is eager to secure the fourth spot in the Premier League to ensure Spurs get the chance to compete in next season’s Champions League (Tottenham Hotspur 4/5 to secure a Top 4 Finish).

Huddlestone was a member of the Spurs side who narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot four years ago and the midfielder admits he felt a ‘feeling of desolation’ on missing out on the chance to play in the Champions League that he is determined to put right.

Liverpool and Aston Villa both slipped to defeats at the weekend which ruled both out of the running for a top four finish, leaving just Manchester City and Spurs to contest the final spot in the Premier League’s top four.  City and Spurs face each other on Wednesday in a tie that could ultimately decide who gets the opportunity to compete with Europe’s elite next season, indeed if Spurs manage to take all three points at Eastlands they will have sealed fourth spot (Spurs 13/5 to win at Eastlands).

If Spurs fail to beat City but come away with a point they will have to equal or better City’s result on the last day of the season.  The Londoners travel to Turf Moor to face already relegated Burnley, while City travel to West Ham who have secured their Premier League status for another term.

Most punters, pundits and fans would expect Spurs and City to see off Burnley and West Ham respectively in their final games meaning the tie at Eastlands could essentially decide who finishes fourth.  City’s record at home over the course of the season has been impressive, Roberto Mancini’s side have won 12 of their home games and only lost twice, while Spurs’ form on their travels has been fairly mixed with six victories, six losses and five draws.

However, Huddlestone is eager to put the pain of missing out on the Champions League four years ago well and truly behind him by securing a top four finish this season.  The midfielder claims his team-mates are fired up for the showdown at Eastlands and are eager to fight their way into Europe’s top competition.

Huddlestone has already played a major part in Spurs’ fight for fourth, the midfielder scored a stunning goal at the weekend as the north London outfit recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Bolton at White Hart Lane to ensure they remained in fourth ahead of their trip to Manchester.  The former Derby midfielder will be hoping to hit the back of the net at Eastlands on Wednesday, where Spurs will attempt to become just the third side to come away from Eastlands with all three points.

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Kalou eyes maximum points

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Salomon Kalou has warned his Chelsea team-mates that they must win at Liverpool on Sunday if they are going to win the Premier League title (Chelsea 1/2 Outright) this season.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side lead Manchester United by just a single point ahead of their trip to Anfield on Sunday lunchtime (Liverpool 11/4, Chelsea 5/6, draw 13/5 90 Minutes) and anything less than a win could hand the initiative over to the Red Devils, who face Sunderland in the later game.

Therefore Kalou is looking for the Blues to remove any doubts by heaping more misery on Liverpool and securing maximum points to keep the title destiny in their own hands going into the final weekend.

“I think we have to win. There’s two games to go and there’s no other way of going about it,” said the Ivory Coast frontman.

“If you want to keep your chance at your end, you have to win every game.

“I hope United will go to Sunderland and drop points, but you can only focus on your own game.

“If we take the three points against Liverpool, we don’t need to worry about what United will do.

“Anfield will be a difficult journey but we will be very motivated and know that if we win there, everything will be in our hands at home against Wigan.”

Chelsea will be boosted by the absence of Liverpool’s prolific striker Fernando Torres due to injury, but Kalou says they cannot afford to be complacent.

“Liverpool at home are still a strong team, even without Torres,” he said.

“It’s true that if Torres played it would be a plus for them, but I think they are still difficult to play at Anfield because they have that spirit at home and their supporters will push them 200 per cent.

“We have to go there and take control of the game. We need to keep the ball and play our own game and not wait for Liverpool to take the initiative.”

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Bayern chief eyes final prize

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Bayernlouis van gaal Munich boss Louis Van Gaal is confident his injury-hit squad (Bayern 3/10 to qualify for the final) can overcome Lyon on Tuesday in their Champions League semi-final second leg.

Bayern lead 1-0 from last week’s first leg in Germany but have made the journey to France with just 17 players, of which a couple are struggling with knocks, such is the extent of their injury woes at the minute.

However, Van Gaal is sure his threadbare squad can manage and will instruct his side to go out and improve on their slender lead – secured by Arjen Robben’s brilliant goal at the Allianz Arena (Robben 13/8 anytime goalscorer).

“We are not the kind of team whose aim is just to avoid conceding goals when we enter the field,” said Van Gaal.

“I’ve never told my players to play like that since the beginning of the season and I won’t start on Tuesday.

“We have many injuries and many problems,” he added.

“We have brought 17 players and if they cannot play, then we will still have 14 players. We will still be able to field 11 players.”

Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and Bayern winger Franck Ribery are suspended for the showdown after they were both sent off in the first-leg while Danijel Pranjic is also banned for the visitors.

Bayern are also missing midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who came off the bench in the first leg, as he has a stomach virus.

Lyon’s main injury concern ahead of the game is over key defender Cris, who picked up a knock in the first leg, while winger Michel Bastos sustained a leg injury in training on Friday.

Former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, however, is on stand-by to start if required after getting over a calf problem.

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