Tag Futebol

Top-level football is a logistical nightmare. Players are bought in from across the planet from the moment they hit their teenage years, leading to homegrown designations for stars from Mogadishu to Monterrey. And whilst scouting networks become ever more fragmented and diversified, perhaps there is a fantastic resource that the top clubs are missing out on – the lower leagues. So who’s next? Who could step up from the Football League?

In goal, the likes of Alex Smithies and Frankie Fielding are both young, gifted and capped by England Under 21’s and with the current death of top level English talent between the sticks, it wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility for Capello to at least look at them train with the stars and see their development first hand. Fielding had eight different loan spells before getting sick of being fourth choice and dropping to the Championship at Derby. That decision might be a regrettable one for Rovers as Fielding is already proving he can keep clean sheets.

In front of the keeper, Premier League clubs could do a lot worse than to examine defenders like Crystal Palace full-back Nat Clyne. A speedster who offers an accurate crossing threat as well as solid defence, the 20 year old has already logged 94 appearances for his club and this year, featured in every game. Playing this season in the third tier, Brighton’s Tommy Elphick is only 23, yet has appeared for the Seagulls over 150 times. His step up to the Championship should be monitored by Premier League teams who need a ball playing and commanding centre back.

Moving further up the field, there are some real gems. The highly sought-after Alex Chamberlain is the standout prospect, but Swansea’s diminutive Joe Allen is worthy of contention. The West Wales born midfielder surprised many when making his debut at the Liberty, but quickly showed creativity and a first touch that simply removes any pressure from opposing players. While Allen probably wouldn’t be a box to box midfield general, he has shown he can fit into several different systems and would contribute in the Premiership.

Shrewsbury’s Jon Taylor is only 18 and is rumoured to be being watched by half the top flight. A previous winner of the Football Leagues’ Young Player of the Month award, Taylor dropped down from Wigan and made an immediate impact, scoring twice in his first start. The winger totalled six goals in 22 appearances and it remains to be seen whether he stays at Greenhous Meadow much longer.

Upfront, there’s an embarrassment of riches in the 72, with obvious names like Craig Mackail-Smith, Shane Long and Connor Wickham, but there’s also a few future stars that might get to the Premier promised land soon.

Charlie Austin is ascending the divisions, having just joined Burnley from Swindon. Aged 21, he netted 31 times in just over 54 appearances for the Robins. Austin was previously a bricklayer and it will be interesting to see how he develops a partnership with Jay Rodriguez, an intelligent young striker in his own right.

Norwich’s Cody MacDonald will probably be loaned next season, having spent the previous campaign at Gillingham. He hit 25 in Kent and showed that a six-month cameo at another team might be what he needs before the pacy frontman tries to get on the bench for the Canaries.

Danny Ings of Bournemouth is another excellent prospect. At 19, he’s shown himself to be capable of scoring clutch goals, bagging his eighth of the season in the epic playoff game against Huddersfield. A creative deep forward, his ability is unquestioned and has the potential to be developed by a bigger side.

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Most of the Premier League chooses to import it’s playing staff, paying a premium for past ability, yet few have the foresight to invest in their own stars. The above is a small selection of the quality in the Football League. It should not be a retirement home for older pros, but a proving ground for hungry players who can use the division to audition for a big move to the top flight.

Read more of Hashim Piperdy’s articles at This is Futbol

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Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could be sidelined for a lengthy period with his calf injury, according to boss Roy Hodgson.

The 25-year-old Denmark international has not played since the 2-2 draw with Sunderland in September and Hodgson is not upbeat about any imminent return to action.

He said:"Agger is long term. They can't put a date on it.

"At the moment he can't train, he has just got to rest and wait for the next time he goes to see the specialist again.

"They are very anxious that bone doesn't form. It is a calcification issue and training would certainly accelerate the calcification.

"Now they have to wait and hope the body breaks down the calcifying elements before he can even think about training again. So it could be very long term."

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Agger has made more than 100 appearances for the Reds since making his debut in January 2006.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Arsenal is set to battle it out with PSG for Stephane Sessegnon, according to the Mirror.

The Benin international has been in sensational form this season and has played a big part in Sunderland’s recent resurgence under Martin O’Neill.

Arsene Wenger has been keeping tabs all season on the versatile Sessegnon, who would give Arsenal some much needed options in midfield. The midfielder is valued at £10m and could provide the ideal replacement for the likely summer departure of Andrey Arshavin.

Whether Sessegnon wants to move to North London remains to be seen, as the 27-year-old remains unsettled in England largely down to his family’s unwillingness to leave their Paris home.

If PSG were to follow up their interest with a summer bid then it is more than likely that Sessegnon will welcome a return move, although Arsenal are clearly waiting in the wings just in case.

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Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas played out a goalless draw in the MLS on Sunday – an affair which was delayed for more than 90 minutes due to lightning.Unfortunately for the few who waited for play to resume at Pizza Hut Park after inclement weather forced the players off the pitch on 83 minutes, the game did not pick up after the delay, as the final seven minutes plus injury time petered out to a tame finish.

It was far from a classic with both sides minus quality squad members, as Dallas’ David Ferreira and Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales were clearly missed in a match devoid of any real creativity.

The best chance of the game fell to Dallas’ George John who could only produce a smart save from Real Salt Lake shot-stopper Nick Rimando.

The day’s other match was also a mundane affair, as the Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC played out a goalless stalemate.

Arguably the biggest victim of man-of-the-moment Rafael Van der Vaart’s scintillating arrival to the Premier League has been Giovani Dos Santos. There were many – including this writer – who thought that the Mexican forward’s performances in the World Cup, as well as some encouraging pre-season form, was enough to force his way into first team recognition.

Certainly a large amount of Spurs fans were getting excited by the prospect of Giovani finally proving his worth. The talk of his possible departure has had a whole host of suitors and admirers confirming their interest in his services, only highlighting how good a player he actually is. Napoli, Roma, Fiorentina, Villerreal, Sevilla and even Liverpool have all been muted as possible destinations, and they may be far more willing to give the player a chance to recreate his national performances.

In the summer, Spurs’ forums were awash with talk about this being Giovani’s year. The stresses on the squad through the increase in fixtures, and the added pressure of the Champions League, meant that Spurs’ squad was going to get tested to the fullest. Players like Giovani, who had previously been shunned, would be given games just out of the sheer number of fixtures, and then it would simply take a couple of good performances to prove he was worth more game time.

That run of games never happened, and when Daniel Levy gave Redknapp his end of window present in the shape of Van der Vaart, Giovani slid even further down the pecking order.

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Clearly in the Van der Vaart wonderland that is now happening at White Hart Lane, the potential future of Giovani isn’t that big an issue, as it appears Rafael can solve every problem that exists, such has his start to his Spurs career been. It is however a shame, that such a talented player (34 caps for his country and still only 21) has found such a hard time of it during his time in England; with all due respect, Giovani is too good to be going to Ipswich on loan.

Part of the blame must at least lie with the player himself, had he been played as well as he clearly can do, then he would be starting more games than he has. That said, I do think his opportunities have been at an absolute premium. What about those occasions that David Bentley was getting starts last season? Had Giovani not been shipped off to Turkey, those starts could have been his. In a club with the busiest physio in professional football, he must have believed that at some point his chance would come, but alas, it is clearly not to be, and White Hart Lane is not his home.

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And so a potential star looks to be heading for his exit; supremely gifted, but maybe just not cut out for the club. Ask any Spurs fan how they feel, and I’m sure they will feel the situation is a shame, because there was genuine excitement amongst them in the summer about Giovani. That said, any resentment will be blown off their face as soon as VDV’s name is mentioned. The Dutchmen had a similar problem at Real, to which Giovani is having at Spurs, and a move away, even at this ludicrously early stage, looks to already have been proven as the right decision. Maybe Giovani now has to do the same.

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Everton captain Phil Neville has accepted an invitation by the FA to help coach England under-21’s, the club’s official website have revealed.

The Young Lions have a fixture against Belgium at the Riverside Stadium next week in Middlesbrough, and the seasoned professional will assist Brian Eastick and John Peacock, with usual boss Stuart Pearce taking control of the senior side on an interim basis.

The game is an important one for England, who are currently top of their group for European Championship qualification, with the Belgians in second place.

Everton revealed that Neville could be keen on a coaching role once he hangs up his boots, and this may be the first step to a successful career on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Stuart Pearce has admitted that he is available to lead the senior side into Euro 2012, should the authorities feel he is the right man to do so.

“I am available and I have tournament experience if they (the FA) need me to step into the breach in the summer,” he told a press conference at Wembley shown on Sky Sports.

“That is obviously a decision for the employees here. They know exactly where I am, they know exactly what I want to do.

“If they need me to take the squad in the summer I will do that with pleasure.

“If they need me to coach a manager that is coming through the door, I will do that with pleasure as well.

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“Beyond that, at this moment in time, I consider myself after the summer the Team GB manager and Under 21 manager,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Stoke City and Manchester City go head to head in this weekend’s Wembley showdown for the chance to get their hands on their first bit of silverware in a very long time. Roberto Mancini’s men will certainly go into the game as favourites; however on the back of 3-1 dismantling of Arsenal Tony Pulis has every reason to feel confident on the day.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include the A promising more FA Cup chaos next season; Adebayor eyes up a move to Tottenham, while the police warn Manchester United ahead of Ewood Park clash.

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Dalglish hopes to ‘build something special’ at Liverpool – Guardian

FA promises more Cup final chaos in 2012 – Mirror

FA admit Capello’s successor next summer might not be English – Daily Mail

Mancini – Let’s make history – Sky Sports

Green may call time on England career – Guardian

Police warn Manchester United fans – Daily Telegraph

Manu move would be just Spur-fect – Sun

Young – I want to win titles – Sky Sports

Parker: I’ll leave if West Ham are relegated – Daily Telegraph

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Agent Silva’s Cesc mission – Sun

Newcastle check out Toulouse ace M’Bengue amid doubts over Enrique – Daily Mail

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In-form Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has no intention of reversing his decision to retire from international football.

The former Liverpool and Wigan Athletic forward made his announcement in the summer after England's disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Fabio Capello had asked Heskey if he was willing to play for his country again because of the dearth of fit strikers currently at the England manager's disposal.

Since Gerard Houllier was appointed Villa boss last month, Heskey's form has been excellent but he is believed to have rejected Capello's advances.

Capello had said:"I saw Heskey against Wolves and he played very well and he is in a good moment. The new Villa manager (Houllier) knows him very well from his time at Liverpool.

"We will try to speak with Heskey. We need him at this moment. He is in good form. We are talking about him for the one game against Montenegro. We will try to speak with him. But he will decide."

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Heskey scored seven times in 62 international appearances before quitting the England scene in July.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Tottenham Hotspur fans are interested in signing Hirving Lozano this summer after impressive performances for Mexico at the World Cup.

The 22-year-old has been a key player in both of his country’s wins at the tournament in Russia so far, scoring the decisive goal against Germany before assisting another in Saturday’s 2-1 win over South Korea.

His performances for Mexico follow what was a huge 2017/18 season for the player, netting 19 goals in all competitions for PSV and assisting another eight more.

He is now primed to make a move to a bigger league and a bigger club.

With Spurs looking for depth to complement their already impressive attacking line-up, could Lozano be the perfect fit in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad and system?

Supporters have certainly been taking a close look at his performances at the World Cup so far, with some believing he could indeed flourish under the guidance of their Argentinian manager.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts this weekend…

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Toby Alderweireld’s recent absence from Tottenham Hotspur’s squad has led to speculation over his future.

It is widely known that the defender has not signed a new contract yet, which naturally sparks rumours about a possible exit.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has since explained that Alderweireld was left out of the squad to face Arsenal, as well as the travelling party to play Juventus in the Champions League due to his recent injury troubles.

The Argentine boss has indicated that the Belgian needs to work on his fitness having only recently returned to action following a three-month layoff with a hamstring injury.

According to ESPN, talks between Tottenham and Alderweireld regarding a new contract have broken down, with the North London outfit reluctant to meet the defender’s wage demands of around £150,000 per week.

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Charlie Nicholas, though, does not think that Pochettino’s decision to leave one of his key players out of recent important matches has anything to do with the 28-year-old’s future.

While discussing the upcoming FA Cup games in a piece for Sky Sports, the Scotsman said:

“I think [the tie against Rochdale] will be another game for Toby Alderweireld to be eased back in again. I don’t think there is anything more to his absence than managing his recovery because Pochettino is a very honest and open man.”