Forlan reacts to Spurs talk

Posted on July 5, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Uruguay (10/1 to win the World Cup) striker Diego Forlan claims he is not interested in joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

The former Manchester United frontman insists that he is happy at Atletico Madrid and he does not want to return to the Premier League.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to sign a forward with Champions League experience as the London side compete in the prestigious tournament this season.

Forlan has been one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring three goals in Uruguay’s progression to the semi-finals of the competition. They now face the Netherlands in Cape Town in Tuesday’s first semi-final.

La Celeste’s last semi-final was 40 years ago and the side are hoping to emulate the World Cup winning sides of 1930 and 1950 (Uruguay 5/1, draw 13/5, Netherlands 8/13 – Match Prices).

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the 31-year-old forward stated; “I am very happy in Madrid and I have three years left on my contract with Atletico.

“I will not go. Now I want to have another season as good or better than the one just completed.”

Meanwhile, Redknapp has once again expressed his desire to bring former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole to White Hart Lane.

Cole was released by the Blues after his contract at Stamford Bridge expired and the Spurs boss has been a long-time admirer of the England international.

The duo worked together at West Ham but Redknapp has admitted that the club is not close to doing a deal with him. He has hailed his professionalism, however, describing him as an “outstanding player”.

Cole?s England colleague, Jermain Defoe, has also expressed a desire to work with him, hailing his passion, desire and commitment to the cause.

Defoe told Sky Sports News: “When we were in South Africa (you could see) every day his passion and his drive to want to improve.

“In training he was sharp and he was strong, he just loves football – that’s Joe. So if we could get someone like that at the club it would be good for everyone.”

Spurs have been linked with several players during the close season and Redknapp has admitted he is hoping to sign one or two to bolster his squad for the challenges which lie ahead. However, he admits that his squad is already very talented and it’s tough to find players who are better than the ones they already have.

Spurs are 33/1 to win next season’s Premier League and face Manchester City in the first game of the 2010/2011 season (Spurs 5/4, draw 23/10, City 7/4 – Match Betting).

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Forlan could earn his Spurs

Posted on June 11, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Reported suitors Tottenham have been offered encouragement in their bid to sign Uruguay striker Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid to strengthen their squad for a crack at next season’s Champions League and Premier League (Spurs 50/1 – Premier League Outright 2010/2011).

White Hart Lane chief Harry Redknapp has transformed Spurs from relegation candidates to a top-four outfit since he was drafted in to replace Juande Ramos in October 2008.

At the time Ramos had managed to win just two points from the opening eight games of the 2008/09 Premier League season but Redknapp guided the north Londoners to an eighth-placed finish before a four-place improvement last time around.

Spurs will be in the Champions League for the first time next term and although they can boast England World Cup strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe in their ranks, the futures of Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane and Russia star Roman Pavlyuchenko are far from secure.

Keane ended last season on loan at Celtic and is wanted back at Parkhead by new Bhoys chief Neil Lennon while Pavlyuchenko, despite hitting some good form towards the end of the 2009/10 season, looks set to move on in search of first-team football.

So Redknapp will need to do some wheeling and dealing in the transfer market which has led to links with former Manchester United forward Forlan who was part of Atletico’s Europa League-winning squad last season.

However, Los Rojiblancos only finished ninth in La Liga last season so cannot offer Forlan Champions League football and, at the age of 31, the South American predator is unlikely to want to spend any time away from Europe’s top table.

Forlan famously took 27 games to break his goalscoring duck for Manchester United after joining the Red Devils in January 2002, but he insists he has not been put off trying his luck in the Premier League at some point in the future.

The former Villarreal star said: “If there is an offer and it’s good for Atletico and good for me I would be really happy to go back to England. But it will have to be good.

“If a big chance to return to England came up, I would have to look at it. I loved my time in English football – the people, the fans, the football, everything.

“I wasn’t sad the way it ended at United to be honest. I was really happy during my time there and thank the people at United for how they treated me.

“During my period there I learnt a lot of things and had a good relationship with everyone. The reason I left was because I didn’t have the chance to play as regularly as I wanted.”

Forlan and Uruguay kick off their World Cup campaign against France on Friday (Forlan 33/1 – To Score A Hat-Trick).

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Forlan Wrecks Fulham Europa Cup Dream

Posted on May 15, 2010 by SoccerCapper

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europa league 300x214 Forlan Wrecks Fulham Europa Cup Dream The Europa League Final proved to be one match too far in Fulham’s long season, Diego Forlan’s second strike of the match won the game with five minutes of extra time to go.

Though the Cottagers put in a typically disciplined performance Atletico Madrid always carried more threat in the contest. With Bobby Zamora hampered by his Achilles injury, Fulham just couldn’t put their Spanish opponents under enough pressure at the back.

Atletico’s much vaunted strikers were the difference. Forlan scored the goals but his partner Sergio Aguero took the eye for his quick feet and darting runs, which left Fulham chasing shadows.

It is testimony to Roy Hodgson’s organisational skills that his players were able to cope. In fact, there was a period in the second half of normal time when Fulham appeared to be the side most likely to win.

Fulham’s equalising goal was typical of their season as Simon Davies produced a great volley from one of the few attacks that penetrated the Atletico box. Throughout their campaign, Fulham have taken every chance offered and lived on scraps- the final was no different.

Fulham’s goal came when then Spanish team were pushing on and looked capable of adding a second to Forlan’s poacher’s strike. The equaliser set them back and it wasn’t until midway through the second period that they started to put Fulham under concerted pressure again.

During the second half of normal time Hodgson had to withdraw Zamora and Damian Duff, probably his two best creative talents. The introduction of Clint Dempsey and Erik Nevland offered more running and graft but the ball failed to stick up front.

Atletico had more of the ball in extra time and though Fulham defended well there was always the feeling that the Madrid team would get one more gilt-edged chance.

Aguero provided it by besting Aaron Hughes and delivering a wicked ball across the six yard box. That man Forlan ghosted into the right place again and applied a delicate flick though the legs of his marker ands past Mark Schwarzer.

It was too late for a tired side to force yet another improbably comeback and at least the final wasn’t settled on the dreaded penalties. Fulham were always in the contest but Atletico were the better side and deserved their victory.

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Forlan Wrecks Fulham Hopes

Posted on May 13, 2010 by SoccerCapper

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europa league 300x214 Forlan Wrecks Fulham Hopes The Europa League Final proved to be one match too far in Fulham’s long season, Diego Forlan’s second strike of the match won the game with five minutes of extra time to go.