Wenger '80% sure' of deadline-day signing

 

The Gunners boss is confident of securing a deal before the window closes, with the likes of Julian Draxler, Blaise Matuidi and Morgan Schneiderlin all having been heavily linked

Arsene Wenger insists he is "80 per cent" sure that Arsenal will announce a new signing on deadline day.

Goal exclusively reported on Thursday that the Gunners were considering a move for Miroslav Klose or Alvaro Morata as a deal for Julian Draxler looks less likely to materialise, while Wenger is also keen on a midfielder and has made an enquiry for Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin.

And the Frenchman has now confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will be out of action for six weeks, as exclusively revealed by Goal on Tuesday, accelerating the need to sign cover before the window closes on Friday evening.
Ramsey will be out for four to six weeks. I count six weeks," he told reporters. "We are still trying to bring one body in because of Ramsey's setback and Flamini's suspension.

"I'm confident we will bring someone in today. It's 80/20 per cent chance.

"80 per cent of the activities happen on the last day. I would scrap the winter transfer window with ease."

Arsenal slipped to second place in the Premier League table following Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Southampton although Wenger is adamant that the Gunners still have plenty left in the tank in the title race.

He added: "We are in a strong position in the league so I don't see a reason why we are in an anti-climax."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger does not feel under pressure to sign striker in January

 

Arsene Wenger has admitted it is difficult to find the right players in the January transfer window but stressed that the return to fitness of Theo Walcott means Arsenal are not under extra pressure to buy another striker.

Walcott is available to face former club Southampton on Saturday after spending the past couple of months sidelined by an abdominal problem which needed surgery, while Lukas Podolski is recovering from a hamstring injury which has kept him out since late August and is expected back in action by the end of December.
Olivier Giroud has shouldered the responsibility of leading the line for the Gunners this season, with Nicklas Bendtner their only other fit option up front.
Wenger has faith in Bendtner's ability but accepts that the Denmark international may be thinking of leaving in the New Year.
The Arsenal manager is not worried, though, insisting there will be not be as much urgency to bring in cover for Giroud once Walcott and Podolski are back at his disposal.
 Asked if having Walcott and Podolski fit made it less critical to go into the transfer market for a new striker, Wenger said: "Yes, Podolski is not back as well (yet), but he shouldn't be too far now.
"Theo gives us an opportunity to be a mobile striker. If we lose Giroud today we have nobody with body weight up front, apart from Bendtner.
"I think Bendtner has the level, but at the moment he doesn't get enough games - and as well, in his head, is he here or has he planned to go (in January)?"
Wenger continued: "Theo gives us qualities that other players haven't got, it is a different option.
We have a lot of players who like to come to the ball, so to have one or two who go behind and create space in the middle, it gives us options to score."
Whether or not Arsenal will move when the transfer window reopens remains to be seen, but Wenger insists it can only be for the "right player".
He added: "I don't say I never make a mistake - I certainly made some, sometimes it is because we didn't sign the right player.
"But it is always difficult in the middle of the season. If somebody is doing well somewhere, the clubs do not necessarily want to sell him. They can wait until the end of the season.
"Most of the time it is because we didn't find (him)."

Premier League: Sky sources say Crystal Palace are close to agreeing deal with Tony Pulis

 

Crystal Palace are close to agreeing a deal with Tony Pulis to become their new manager, according to Sky sources.

The former Stoke boss is believed to be in advanced talks with the Palace board to succeed Ian Holloway, who stepped down last month after the club won only one of their first nine games of the season.
Keith Millen has been in caretaker charge of the Premier League strugglers since Holloway's departure, and Palace ended a run of seven straight defeats in the goalless draw with Everton prior to the international break.
Millen will again oversee the first team for Saturday's trip to Hull, but the club now appear set to announce the appointment of Pulis.
The 55-year-old, who has never been relegated as a manager, has been out of work since his second spell at Stoke ended in May.

Premier League: Manuel Pellegrini hints that Joe Hart will stay on Manchester City bench

 

Manuel Pellegrini has hinted that goalkeeper Joe Hart will remain on the Manchester City bench against Tottenham.

Hart was dropped for Costel Pantilimon after a defeat at Chelsea last month and has sat out City's past four games.
The goalkeeper started for England against Germany in midweek and kept the score down to 1-0 with several eye-catching saves.
Pellegrini was impressed but, pressed for answers ahead of Sunday's Sky live game against Spurs at the Etihad Stadium, suggested that Hart would remain among the City substitutes.
He said: "I can't continue to always answer about Hart and Pantilimon.
"Both are very good goalkeepers. Now we are playing Pantilimon, so Hart must wait.
"We'll see what happens in the future. With all the players in the squad - not only the keepers - I have to choose the final starting 11 each week.
"We'll see - it depends on the performance of him and the performance of Pantilimon also."
Continuing to discuss Hart, he added: "It was very important for him to play with England. It was an important game for England against Germany, it is a good test. I think he did very well."
Pellegrini was asked to explain his suggestion earlier this week Hart would benefit from a run out of the side.
He said: "He played the last two and a half years all the games in the Premier League. All the players are human and can have a bad moment."
The Chilean also stressed that he has confidence in Pantilimon, adding: "If I was worried about him, he would not be here. We'd have changed him at the beginning of the year.
"He remains here because he is a good keeper as well."
City go into the weekend with an injury list still including David Silva and captain Vincent Kompany, who has lost his fight to be fit for the Spurs game.
"Vincent is still working," continued Pellegrini, "recovering from his last injury. Maybe the next week he will work with the whole team."
Given the amount of time Kompany has spent out with muscle problems in the past two years, Pellegrini was repeatedly asked whether the matter was a serious concern.
"Of course," he said. "He is a very important player for the team but when we started the season we had a squad which would help us if this happened.
"We have other centre-backs who are playing at the moment but Vincent is always an important player.
"We are doing all the things we need to understand why he has so many injuries. I'm not a doctor. I talk with him but I can't tell you the opinion."

Premier League: Cardiff's Ben Turner says Manchester United strikeforce is best

Manchester United duo Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney are the Premier League's best strikeforce, says Cardiff's Ben Turner.

The Bluebirds' centre-half and his team-mates play host to defending champions United on Sunday, bringing the 25-year-old up against van Persie and Rooney.
Turner has already faced the likes of Sergio Aguero, Fernando Torres and Roberto Soldado this season, but has no doubt who the top sharpshooters are in the division
He said: "If I had to pick one combination up top, I would probably go for them because they are tried and tested.
"They know they are world class and they know their jobs.
"There are other strike partnerships that could potentially be the best, but I don't think there is a partnership with that many goals or experience, two players at the same club like that."
Despite having seen of Manchester City's vaunted attack earlier in the season, Turner admits he enters every game fully aware of the consequences of not performing at his best.
"Everyone is different and everyone prepares differently. That's the way I have gone into games, ever since I have been in football to be honest," he said.
"The fear of failure drives people on. There is no bigger motivation for me because I don't want to fail.
"That's massive for me in terms of my preparation. I think it goes through the squad.
"There are not many people in our squad who have cut it at the top all their careers, so for lads getting a first crack at it there is no other way to look at it.
"You are not going to stay in the Premier League if you are not performing so I think you have to feel like that."
Turner has experienced success against United before, having been part of the Coventry side that knocked the Red Devils out of the League Cup at Old Trafford back in 2007.
That was against a second-string United team, and he knows the team he faces Sunday will be a different proposition entirely.
"I want to play against the best players. I remember playing against Manchester United in the cup when I was at Coventry and we beat them," he said.
"But it wasn't the first team so whilst it was brilliant to beat them, you still felt it would be great to play against the actual big hitters if you like."

Santi Cazorla admits he would have loved Arsenal to sign Liverpool's Luis Suarez

 Santi Cazorla has admitted he would have "loved it" if Arsenal had signed Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the summer.
Arsenal courted Suarez all summer as they looked to add to their attacking options, but Liverpool rebuffed their attempts to lure the Uruguayan away from Anfield.
Cazorla is a big admirer of Suarez and felt he would have been a perfect addition to Arsene Wenger's side, but was delighted the club made up for missing out on the forward by splashing out big to land Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
"Suarez's incredible. I'd have loved it if he had come; his style would have suited us," Cazorla told The Guardian. "Arsenal did all they could and he wouldn't have minded.
"But Liverpool didn't want to sell, which they're entirely entitled to do, and he's playing incredibly again.
"It's a pity he's not on our team! [Arsenal] saw some doors shut and, when they saw the chance to get Mesut, it was an opportunity to thump a fist on the desk, to make a statement. He's a superb signing. He's brought illusion, optimism and hope."
 Cazorla also revealed he felt like a little kid when Arsenal signed Ozil, conceding he was surprised that Real were willing to sell the Germany international.
"I spoke to friends of mine at Madrid who told me that Mesut was talking to Arsenal and that he wanted to leave," added Cazorla.
"You think, 'How are Madrid going to let Mesut get away?' He's one of the best players in the world and the truth is you don't really believe it.
"Then one day the manager said to us, 'We've signed Mesut, he's going for his medical'.
"I was like a little kid.
"I knew that a great player was coming and that because of the way he plays, he was going to be a perfect fit for us."

Michael Carrick signs new Manchester United deal until 2015

 

Michael Carrick has signed a new contract with Manchester United.

The midfielder's extended deal ties him to United until the summer of 2015, with the option of a further year.
His previous contact was due to expire at the end of the current season.
Carrick, who has won five Premier League titles and one Champions League since joining from Tottenham in 2006, said: "It's great to extend my contract at this club. I am really enjoying my football.
"The club has gone through a few changes and working under David Moyes has been fantastic. I have won many trophies in my years playing here and I am looking forward to achieving more in the future."
Moyes said: "I am delighted Michael has extended his contract. During my short time at the club it hasn't been hard to notice that Michael is a great reader of the game and has excellent passing ability.
"He is an exceptional man and a true professional and it's great that he has committed himself to the club."
Carrick is currently recovering from an Achilles injury and is not expected back before mid-December.
With Carrick and Phil Jones both missing Sunday's trip to Cardiff, United boss Moyes will be selecting from 39-year-old Ryan Giggs, £27.5million new boy Marouane Fellaini, who has taken time to adapt following his summer deadline-day move from Everton, Tom Cleverley and Anderson, who has rarely impressed on a consistent basis in over six years at the club.
Anderson, meanwhile, insisted earlier this week that he is determined to fight for his place at United after starting just twice under Moyes this season.
"I have played only two games this season and I tried to do my very best for the team. But it is very hard when you only play a small part now and then," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"But I am not unhappy. I am enjoying it and I know I will be ready whenever the manager picks me.
"I haven't spoken to David Moyes about my situation because I think I have a good situation at the moment. I love this club and I have been here for over six years.
"I am only 25 years old and I have about seven years' football left in me. So I have time on my side and I am happy at Old Trafford.
"I had a lot of injuries last season. I have come back now to help United. I came back in pre-season and felt good and I have been fit now all season.
"I just have to wait for the moment and when it comes for me then I have to take that opportunity."
Darren Fletcher is another midfielder United are currently unable to call upon, with the Scotland international battling to recover from a serious ulcerative colitis condition.

Fletcher has not featured for Manchester United for almost a year, but former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed him to complete a remarkable return to top-level action.
The Molde boss said: "It's fantastic news that Darren is on his way back. I was over in Manchester about a month ago and I was lucky enough to bump into Fletch and he said he was on the road to recovery.
"I just met him purely by chance outside the supermarket and it was great to see him. I could see just from talking to him that his tail was really up because he's had a rough time of it, obviously.
"It's funny to think I played in his Scotland debut in Oslo. I remember that game well, we actually swapped shirts afterwards and I've still got it at home - I was thinking of digging it out and putting it on for the game on Tuesday night.
"I actually played in Fletch's reserve team debut for Manchester United, I was in the reserves quite a lot!
"I'm not sure he was even 16 at that time but I remember it was a game at Everton and you could just see then that you were watching a fantastic talent."

Premier League: David Moyes is confident Manchester United can keep improving

 

David Moyes admits Manchester United have made a slow start to the season but never felt they were out of the race to retain their title.

United have had a mixed start to their first season under Moyes and slumped to 12th in September their crushing 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.
But they are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and defeated league leaders Arsenal 1-0 in their last fixture before the international break.
Moyes says his faith in the side was never broken and he is confident they can continue improving as the season progresses.
"I never thought we were out of it (the title race)," said Moyes, who takes United to Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon.
"We just go about our job and try and win each game. Everybody knew at the start what it was going to be like.
"We knew we had a change of manager and there were always going to be problems, no matter what - whether it be winning games or different personnel in the team.
"I have said many times that Manchester United have proved over the years they improve as they go on.
"My history at Everton was as a slow-starter as well. Hopefully we're beginning to find our feet and we'll continue to improve."

Premier League: Chelsea boss Mourinho intrigued by Riley's apology to West Brom

 Jose Mourinho says he is curious to know whether Mike Riley¿s apology to West Brom will be the beginning of a new attitude from match officials.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants to know the full implications of referees' chief Mike Riley's apology to West Brom following the controversial award of a penalty in the teams' game at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

The Baggies looked set for a famous away win before referee Andre Marriner awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time when Ramires went down after colliding with Steven Reid.
Eden Hazard converted the penalty but West Brom boss Steve Clarke was furious and Riley has now issued an apology, an act which Mourinho feels equates to a "public exposing" of Marriner.
And the Blues boss is interested to know if a precedent has been set and that apologies for controversial decisions will soon be issued as a matter of course.
"I'm very curious to know the consequences of it," said Mourinho, speaking prior to Saturday's match at West Ham.
"At least now the referees know, they know one thing. If in a controversial - I'm not saying a mistake - decision that hypothetically - and, I repeat, hypothetically - favours Chelsea, they know they are going to be publicly exposed by their boss. That they know.
"They can make, hypothetically, mistakes, favouring other teams, nothing happens.
"If hypothetically - and, I repeat, hypothetically - they make a mistake, they are publicly exposed by their own boss.
"I'm very curious to know if it was just an isolated phone call. I'm curious to know if people see that as a normal situation.
"I'm interested to know if this is the start, that from now on it's going to be the same for everybody."
Mourinho is eager to know if Hull, Norwich, Swansea and Aston Villa received phone calls for perceived mistakes made by officials against them.
"I'm curious to know if Steve Bruce got a phone call," Mourinho said. "I'm interested to know if Chris Hughton got a phone call. I'm interested to know if (Michael) Laudrup got a phone call."
Mourinho would not comment when questioned over West Brom defender Jonas Olsson's claims he was called a "Mickey Mouse player" by the Chelsea boss.
"Giant players, giant coaches and giant clubs, they don't speak about what happens in the tunnel," Mourinho said.
"The game is a game, the game finished, in the tunnel sometimes a couple of things happen, a couple of words, not aggressions, nothing.
"But giant clubs, giant players and giant managers, they close their mouths. And the next day is another day."

World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo happy to help Portugal through

Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Portugal were worthy of their place in the World Cup finals after beating Sweden.

Ronaldo scored all four goals for his country over the two legs as they won 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-2 victory in Solna on Tuesday, courtesy of the Real Madrid star's hat-trick.
"We were better in the first and the second game, I'm happy to once again have helped the team to win," said Ronaldo.
"I think we deserved it 100 percent."
Ronaldo insisted his celebrations were not aimed at FIFA president Sepp Blatter following recent comments he made about the Real ace.
"I don't have to respond to anyone, my answers are given on the pitch," he said.
Reports have claimed that the Ballon d'Or voting - which was due to end last week - has now been extended to the end of November, meaning Ronaldo's performance on Tuesday could help him to the world title.
But he insists that is not something he is thinking about, adding: "I do not live my life obsessed with titles and do not have to show anything to anyone, because I have shown my worth, I've done 40/50 goals every season and it is not within the reach of anyone. I know what I am."
On the game in Solna, Ronaldo admits there were some nerves when Sweden took the lead on the night thanks to a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"We let Sweden grow in confidence and we retreated and suffered but that's part of the spectacle of football. We reacted well and we ended up winning," he admitted.
"I do not compete against Zlatan, he is a fantastic player and biggest star in Sweden, but I do not compete against him. I play for my team."
Ronaldo is now on target to become Portugal's top scorer of all time after levelling Pauleta's 47-mark.
"I always said that the records are to be beaten, but I was not thinking about it, I was just focused on winning this game.
"We are now equal and we will see what happens in the future."

Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Portugal were worthy of their place in the World Cup finals after beating Sweden.

Ronaldo scored all four goals for his country over the two legs as they won 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-2 victory in Solna on Tuesday, courtesy of the Real Madrid star's hat-trick.
"We were better in the first and the second game, I'm happy to once again have helped the team to win," said Ronaldo.
"I think we deserved it 100 percent."
Ronaldo insisted his celebrations were not aimed at FIFA president Sepp Blatter following recent comments he made about the Real ace.
"I don't have to respond to anyone, my answers are given on the pitch," he said.
Reports have claimed that the Ballon d'Or voting - which was due to end last week - has now been extended to the end of November, meaning Ronaldo's performance on Tuesday could help him to the world title.
But he insists that is not something he is thinking about, adding: "I do not live my life obsessed with titles and do not have to show anything to anyone, because I have shown my worth, I've done 40/50 goals every season and it is not within the reach of anyone. I know what I am."
On the game in Solna, Ronaldo admits there were some nerves when Sweden took the lead on the night thanks to a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"We let Sweden grow in confidence and we retreated and suffered but that's part of the spectacle of football. We reacted well and we ended up winning," he admitted.
"I do not compete against Zlatan, he is a fantastic player and biggest star in Sweden, but I do not compete against him. I play for my team."
Ronaldo is now on target to become Portugal's top scorer of all time after levelling Pauleta's 47-mark.
"I always said that the records are to be beaten, but I was not thinking about it, I was just focused on winning this game.
"We are now equal and we will see what happens in the future."

Transfer news: Swansea planning further talks regarding Tom Ince

 

Swansea City are planning further negotiations regarding Blackpool's Tom Ince, but have no interest in Wilfried Zaha.

The Swans were among a host of clubs trailing England U21 international Ince over the summer, but were left 'staggered' by an asking price believed to be in the region of £8million.
That valuation is likely to have dropped slightly, with Ince set to be out of contract at the end of the season.
Blackpool may be tempted to cash-in during the January transfer window, rather than risk losing their star turn for nothing.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins says he will be exploring 'all the options', despite seeing South Wales rivals Cardiff City snubbed by Ince in July.
He told the Daily Mail: "He is a very good young player and one we looked at in the summer.
"I would say it is likely that we will be talking to Blackpool again. I know their chairman, Karl Oyston, and when the time is right we will make contact and see what can be done."
A move for Ince suggests that Swansea are in the market for creativity, but Jenkins claims they are not one of those looking at taking Zaha on loan from Manchester United - with the highly-rated winger having struggled to gain recognition at Old Trafford.
He added: "Nothing is happening there."
Jenkins is, however, prepared to admit that Michael Laudrup will be looking to make at least one more addition on top of his search for a new wide man.
He said: "It would be most likely to act as cover for defence or midfield."

England's players praised Joe Hart after he returned to action in 1-0 friendly defeat by Germany

 

Goalkeeper Joe Hart was backed by his England team-mates after his impressive return to action in the 1-0 friendly defeat by Germany.

Hart was handed his first start in over three weeks by England boss Roy Hodgson after being dropped by Manchester City and was one of the bright spots in a disappointing display at Wembley.
A string of high profile blunders prompted City boss Manuel Pellegrini to leave out Hart, but England defender Phil Jagielka felt he responded well to recent negative headlines.
"I've backed Joe all the time, all the players have backed Joe all the time," said the Everton player.
"He's been in for some criticism, some of it a little bit harsh.
"But Joe's a big boy and that's the only way he can prove his critics wrong by making some fantastic saves.
"He won't be getting that many pats on the back from the lads because we expect him to do it."
Hart made a double save from Per Mertesacker and Max Kruse before the Arsenal defender headed in the solitary goal from a first-half corner.
Jagielka's defensive partner Chris Smalling said: "I think he did very well tonight.
"He produced a couple of really good saves and bailed me out at one of the corners as well. I think he was terrific tonight."
Winger Andros Townsend echoed his team-mates' praise and expects Hart to rediscover his best form.
"He made a great save from the corner before the one they scored," he said.
"He's been fantastic and hopefully he continues that form."

CRISTIANO RONALDO HATRICK SINK SWEDEN

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brilliant hat-trick to give Portugal a 3-2 win in Sweden and send them to the World Cup finals.

Portugal brought a 1-0 lead into their second leg in Solna and after a forgettable opening 45 minutes the game came to life in spectacular fashion with Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic taking centre stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational hat-trick to send Portugal to the World Cup Finals.

Ronaldo opened the scoring on 50 minutes before Ibrahimovic then claimed a quick-fire brace to give the home side real hope with Portugal only leading on away goals.
But then Ronaldo took over as he claimed two more wonderful goals in two-minutes to kill off the tie and send Portugal to the World Cup finals next summer.
sweden had started the match well but struggled to grind out any real chances and it was Portugal who threatened with Ronaldo flashing a couple of efforts wide whilst Andreas Isaksson got down well to another chance from the Real Madrid superstar.
The best chance of the opening half came for Hugo Almeida just before the break as Ronaldo found him at the back post but the Besiktas man headed into the side-netting.
Sweden brought on veteran Anders Svensson at half-time as they looked to push on, knowing they needed a goal and they almost got it on 49 minutes.
Ibrahimovic held of Veloso before sliding the ball into the path of Seb Larsson, who toe-poked an effort at goal which Rui Patricio had to parry away.
Then within 60 seconds - Portugal were ahead as Joao Moutinho played a sublime pass into the path of Ronaldo, who took the ball to the edge of the area before firing left-footed past Isaksson.
Portugal were looking comfortable, but then Ibrahimovic gave Sweden some real hope with two-goals in four-minutes not long after the hour mark.
He levelled the scores on the night as he headed home Kim Kallstrom's corner before then smashing home a free-kick from the edge of the box.
Suddenly Portugal were rocking and Sweden thought they should have had a penalty as Kallstrom went down in the box under Joao Pereira's challenge - but instead the Swedish midfielder was booked by English referee Howard Webb and replays showed the Premier League official was spot on.
Then Ronaldo took charge and lead his side to the World Cup finals with two more pieces of brilliance.
With Sweden pressing and just 13 minutes left, Portugal broke at speed and Almeida played a great ball through to Ronaldo who again fired home with great aplomb.
Then just two minutes later, and the tie was put well and truly beyond Sweden as Ronaldo latched onto another excellent ball from Moutinho and he took it past Isaksson before firing into the roof of the net.
Ronaldo even had time to poke the ball wide for his own fourth, but that was of no consequence as he had already done the hard work as his brilliance saw Portugal to the World Cup finals next summer.

'Ancelotti will have more success than Mourinho'

 

Former Monaco coach Marco Simone believes the Italian's man-management skills will see him perform better than his more confrontational predecessor at Santiago Bernabeu

Former Italy international Marco Simone has backed Carlo Ancelotti to enjoy more success at Real Madrid than Jose Mourinho during his time at the Liga giants.

Ancelotti replaced Mourinho at the helm prior to the start of the 2013-14 campaign after the Portuguese had left Madrid for Chelsea following a turbulent few months during which he reportedly fell out with a number of first-team players within the squad.

Simone believes that his compatriot's ability to deal with conflicts will prove to be vital in the Spanish capital and has backed him to perform better than Mourinho as a result.

"Ancelotti will definitely be a success at Madrid. Coaching Real Madrid is easy in one sense and difficult in another," Simone was quoted as saying by Marca.

"It's easy because you have players like Cristiano who, even if the system isn't working, can win you matches on their own.

"It's difficult because you've got to have what it takes to deal with a very tricky group. He knows how to handle the big egos you get at a club like Real Madrid.

"Ancelotti will have more success than Mourinho. I have a lot of time for Mourinho and I'm a big fan of his personality, but he finds it hard to back down once a conflict breaks out."

Mourinho guided Madrid to three domestic trophies during his three-year spell, although he was unable to steer them beyond the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Cameroon revive spirit of golden era as Cote d'Ivoire stars face final chance for success

 

After years of disarray, the Indomitable Lions are back on the world map, while the Elephants still need to convince their fans ahead of Brazil 2014

ANALYSIS
By Kingsley Kobo
Cameroon and Cote D'Ivoire are the latest African teams to qualify for next year's World Cup in Brazil after Nigeria booked their place on Saturday.

While both sides overcame strong opposition in the form of Tunisia and Senegal in their play-off fixtures, there are contrasting moods surrounding the success of each side in reaching the 2014 finals: while Cameroon - reunited with Samuel Eto'o - may be showing glimpses of their old selves, Didier Drogba and the Elephants are yet to fully convince supporters they have what it takes to more than just make up the numbers next summer.

The Indomitable Lions defeated Tunisia 4-1 in brilliant fashion during the second leg of their playoff, arousing all-night partying across the streets of the central African nation.

Jubilant supporters trooping out of the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday could still recall how gloomy the atmosphere was at the same venue on October 8, 2005 when their team was held to a 1-1 draw by another north African side, Egypt, which gifted Cote d'Ivoire a spot at the 2006 tournament in the final matchday of qualifying.

Boisterous football moments such as these have been uncommon of late in Cameroon after the good old days of Roger Milla, the Biyik brothers and Patrick Mboma. Locals had witnessed how their once formidable Lions were tamed and caged up as other teams proceeded to successive Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2012 and 2013, with minnows Cape Verde among the sides that participated in the dismantling of the plucky Cameroonian team.

Samuel Eto'o and company did appear at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but their early exit unmasked signs of corrosion within the squad as tensions between players and coaches reached breaking point.

              Indomitable Lions roar again | Reunited with Eto'o, Cameroon are ready to take on the world
Three head coaches – Javier Clemente from Spain, Frenchman Denis Lavagne and Cameroonian Jean-Paul Akono – all tried to redress the situation but failed to put the house in order, with many observers blaming more deep-rooted problems in the nations's Football Association.

The arrival of 65-year-old German coach Volker Finke in May this year brought some radical changes to the set up. Unwavering in the face of pressure from players or the FA, his pragmatic approach to curtailing Eto'o's supremacy over the entire group earned the coach more admiration from players as well as local fans.
And now with an elusive World Cup ticket in hand, Finke should have carte blanche to clear up other prevailing issues as he prepares the team for their seventh World Cup, with a guarded focus on the country's best-ever performance in the competition - the 1990 edition where they lost in the quarter-final.

Eto'o, who has long dubbed the 2014 finals as his last chance on the international stage, is back in the fold as a leader of the team and the banner beneath which Cameroon's supporters will rally. Now is his chance to firmly establish himself alongside Milla in the annals of World Cup history.

Things are a little different for Cote d'Ivoire. While they qualified for their third World Cup in a row after edging an obstinate Senegal 4-2 on aggregate, underneath the jubilation and ego at being the continent's highest-ranked side, there lies plenty of anxiety.

Most fretful of all are local fans, sports journalists and pundits, all calling for the removal of standing coach Sabri Lamouchi, whom they assume lacks the knowledge and proven experience to mastermind a World Cup campaign.

The Elephants' jittery showing against the Teranga Lions in Casablanca on Saturday rekindled a waning animosity for the former Inter midfielder, with Salomon Kalou's last-minute goal coming just moments after Senegal spurned a superb chance to snatch the World Cup spot from Cote d'Ivoire's grasp.

          Troubles on Toure | Yaya, Kolo and Drogba face one more chance to deliver on the global stage

It is difficult to pinpoint the tactical achievements of Lamouchi since his arrival in May 2012.  Although the team did qualify and play at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, the beaten finalists of the previous competition crashed out in the last eight.

Who is really doing the job, the coach or the players? That is the big question emerging from the camp. The football federation, which has acknowledged a lack of love for Lamouchi from the population, was bracing for his dismissal should the national team fail to qualify for the World Cup, and are now left with a decision over the future of the man who confessed he came to "learn the act of coaching in Cote D'Ivoire".

Importantly, Lamouchi enjoys strong support from the top men of the group such as Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers and goalkeeper Copa Barry. It's likely the FA will allow Lamouchi and his charges to continue quietly with preparations while officials grapple with critics, assuring the nation that the team will deliver in Brazil.

Next year's showpiece will likely be the swansong for the over-praised and underachieving golden generation, with close to half of the fold set to retire from international football. And after so many near misses in the past and the weight of expectation somewhat lifted, the Elephants may surprise a few critics in Brazil 2014, allowing the current crop of stars to write a happy ending to their as yet disappointing story.

Franck Ribery needs to become the talisman France desperately require

 
 With a two-goal deficit to overcome in their second leg tie against Ukraine, Brendon Netto discusses why Franck Ribery must become the talisman France have lacked since Zidane.
On Friday night, both Portugal and Sweden turned to their captains to inspire a win in a crucial World Cup qualifier. It was Cristiano Ronaldo who scored the vital goal that the Portuguese will carry into the second leg where Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be expected to spark a revival for the Swedes. Meanwhile, France were devoid of leadership on the pitch in their 2-0 defeat away to Ukraine and as they prepare for the return leg, it’s hard to see who could step up to the plate.
That’s indeed surprising when you consider the players Didier Deschamps has at his disposal. Samir Nasri, Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema are just a few of the household names that line up for Les Bleus. However, while those players are all gifted individuals, none of them quite make it into the elitist category, not yet anyway.
That brings us to Franck Ribery, the one Frenchman at this moment in time who is poised to be among those special players who have carried their teams so often. The French squad is blessed with an abundance of quality but craves for that one player to go even further in order to lead his teammates and who better to do that than someone who won the treble this year and is regarded as a favourite for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award?

France in search for a hero

Looking back, Zinedine Zidane was arguably the last real talisman France have had. Even in illustrious company, ‘Zizou’ shone brightest and the other stars players seemed to fade in his absence. That was never more evident than in the 2002 World Cup, when a thigh injury sidelined Zidane from France's first two matches.
Without their supernova, the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele, Marcel Desailly and David Trezeguet failed to win either of those games against relatively weaker teams. Such was Zidane’s importance even in a glamourous France team that he was rushed back prematurely for the final group game but, not being fully fit, he wasn’t able to spare them a shocking early exit from the tournament.
The Real Madrid legend was named Player of the Tournament when he carried France all the way to the final in the 2006 World Cup but alas, his dismissal turned the game on its head as they lost to Italy on penalties. Regardless of how good a team is on paper, it still needs at least one player to standout.

Zidane was France's last talisman

It's why Barcelona and Real Madrid aren't quite the same without Lionel Messi and Ronaldo respectively, why an injury to Wayne Rooney spells disaster for England and why Michael Ballack's suspension in the 2002 final in Japan is still rued by every German fan.
For example, Belgium have had a fantastic group of players for a few years now but are yet to truly announce themselves and you sense that they lie in wait for one of those players to develop into a superstar. Football is a team sport but you can’t neglect the importance of talismanic figures even in the greatest sides.
In the wake of Zidane’s retirement, Ribery was touted to succeed him as France’s talisman but instead the winger went goalless for almost a year and a half. He was unable to inspire his team as they crashed out of the group stages in the 2008 European Championships.

Can Ribery step up?

The 2010 World Cup debacle on and off the pitch saw Ribery in particular attract criticism for his lacklustre displays and his ability as a leader was brought into question as well. It was only in May 2012 that he finally ended his goal drought that lasted over three years. Since then, he’s notched up 6 goals in 17 appearances which include another disappointing showing in Euro 2012.
Ribery has scored 9 goals and made 7 assists for Bayern Munich in 17 appearances this season. It’s about time he produced that sort of form for the national team in a bid to take them to the next World Cup especially if he’s vying to be recognized as the best player on the planet this year.  
Tuesday night’s game against Ukraine could well prove to be a defining moment in Ribery’s career. It represents an opportunity for the diminutive Frenchman to rise to the occasion, be the hero and spare an underachieving France side from another humiliation and the barrage of criticism that comes with it. The ability to thrive on such an occasion is what separates the good players from the great ones and at the age of 30, Ribery is running out of time to ensure that he falls in the latter category.

Barcelona confirm Ter Stegen & Reina interest

 

The Liga leaders have revealed they are confident of announcing a long-term replacement for Victor Valdes in January having entered "advanced negotiations" with certain players

Barcelona vice-president Josep Bartomeu has revealed that the Catalans are in advanced talks to sign a new goalkeeper, confirming that Pepe Reina and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are on their shortlist of candidates.

The Liga champions have long been linked with both the on-loan Napoli shot-stopper and the Borussia Monchengladbach man as they pursue a long-term replacement for Victor Valdes, who is set to depart Catalunya at the end of the season.

"We have been looking for a new goalkeeper since January and are in advanced negotiations to sign someone," Bartomeu told RAC1.

"The plan is to announce who will be our new goalkeeper in January, when Valdes makes his imminent exit official. Ter Stegen and Reina are among the few candidates still on our list.

"We intend to sign just one goalkeeper and not two."

The 31-year-old Reina has a contract with parent club Liverpool until June 2016, but his long-term future at the club remains in doubt after the Reds signed Simon Mignolet during the summer.

Ter Stegen, meanwhile, has a deal with Gladbach until the summer of 2015, but the Bundesliga outfit are keen to hold on to the 21-year-old and have offered him a new and improved contract.

Football: Gerrard honoured to be pulling level with Bobby Moore

 

Steven Gerrard says he feels "proud and slightly embarrassed" to be equalling the number of caps won by Bobby Moore, who led England to 1966 World Cup glory.

Current skipper Gerrard has recovered from a hip injury in time to lead England out at Wembley on Tuesday night against Germany and he will earn his 108th cap, to draw level with Moore.
Goalkeeper Peter Shilton is out on his own with 125 caps but only David Beckham (115) will have more than Gerrard and Moore among outfield players after Tuesday night.
"I am very proud and slightly embarrassed," said Gerrard on Monday. "Because we are talking about a World Cup winner and an icon, someone who is a hero to everyone in the country.
"To equal his record is a fantastic achievement.
"It is quality opposition to get my 108th cap against but, for me, it is about getting the right result, and then I can look back on the game with fond memories."

Revenge not a consideration

England were thrashed 4-1 by Germany when the teams last met in the 2010 World Cup.
But Gerrard added: "Tomorrow is not about revenge or putting right what went wrong over there.
"Every time you play against Germany you want to win. We want to win and to keep trying to improve. We want to build on the recent performances against Montenegro and Poland."

A real leader

England boss Roy Hodgson paid tribute to Gerrard and says the Liverpool man helped him immensely when he was first placed in charge ahead of Euro 2012.
"He has brought an enormous amount to the team over the years," said Hodgson.
"Going to the Euros, with my coming in at a late stage, (I was) relying on Steven to make certain the ideas, the philosophy and way we wanted to work was put across to the players, and he was that type of leader.
"Leaders are often people we think about as going around screaming and shouting but my idea of a leader is someone like Steven Gerrard, who is strong in his opinions but basically does all his work on the field and in the dressing room with the players.
"He, and Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard as excellent deputies, have a very strong influence in that dressing room, because everyone looks up to them.
"To equal Bobby Moore's number of caps, he must be very proud, because Bobby was one of our truly iconic players of the past."

World Cup: FIFA responds to Amnesty claims of workers rights abuses

 

FIFA has responded to claims made by human rights charity Amnesty International of an "abuse of migrant workers" in Qatar by insisting they are committed to social justice for those involved in World Cup projects.

Amnesty released a 166-page report that claimed workers arriving in Qatar to work on construction projects related to the 2022 World Cup are subjected to "non-payment of wages, harsh and dangerous working conditions, and shocking standards of accommodation".
Amnesty International's secretary general Salil Shetty described "an alarming level of exploitation in the construction sector in Qatar.
World football's governing body responded by insisting they take such matters extremely seriously and confirmed they are working closely with Qatari authorities to address the situation.
"FIFA has made clear that it upholds the respect for human rights and the application of international norms as a principle of all our activities," an official statement said.
"FIFA understands and shares Amnesty International's efforts towards social justice and respect of human rights and dignity, which are very much anchored in the statutes and purpose of FIFA.
"FIFA also expects that the hosts of its competitions fully respect these. As a result, FIFA President Blatter personally visited Qatar on 9 November. He received a firm commitment from the 2022 hosts.
"The state of Qatar is aware of various issues and has already started to react."
Amnesty had voiced their concerns about the plight of migrant workers in the Middle East country, insisting conditions are in desperate need of improvement.
And spokesman Sherif Elsayed-Ali insists FIFA have to back up their words with deeds immediately.
"Any action needs to be taken really, really fast," he told Sky Sports News. "If not, building the infrastructure around the World Cup will feed the abuse of workers.
"The World Cup organising committee have promised to do things and issued standards that look good but the issue is not only the stadiums.
"It is the infrastructure around it - the underground system, the trains, the ports. If changes are not made straight away there will be a lot of suffering.
"The solution is not to move the World Cup but to change the labour system so the rights of workers are protected.
"Fifa have said they are concerned about the problem but there is not a sense of urgency.
"They have told us their priorities are the World Cups in 2014 and 2018 and we would like them to take a proactive role with the Qatar 2022 committee to ensure not only the stadiums, but everything around them, are built free of exploitation."

top 10 Teams Failed To Qualify

With France on the brink of a play-off exit against Ukraine, Goal examines the greatest sides who faltered in their bid to compete on the game's grandest stage

10. ENGLAND - 1974

The 1970s were a dark period for the England national team, as they failed to progress to a single major tournament between 1970 and 1980. The most notable let-down was missing out on the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. Requiring a win against Poland in their final qualifying match in London, England could only manage a 1-1 draw as goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewki – labelled as a "clown" before the game by a certain Brian Clough – performed miracles to deny Sir Alf Ramsey's men.

9. NETHERLANDS - 1986

After a spell of disappointment in the aftermath of the 1978 World Cup, where they had finished runners-up, an exciting new generation of Dutch youngsters burst onto the scene in the mid-1980s that included the brilliant Marco van Basten (pictured), Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Rob de Wit. However, the Oranje lost their World Cup play-off to neighbours Belgium on away goals after a late effort from Georges Grun in the second leg.

8. USSR - 1978

Despite possessing a large chunk of the great Dynamo Kiev team that conquered the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1975, including the legendary Oleg Blokhin (above), the USSR finished second in Group 9 behind Hungary, with a shock 1-0 defeat to Greece in Thessaloniki doing the damage.

7. ITALY - 1958

They may have been able to call upon players of the calibre of Juventurs legend Giampiero Boniperti (above), but the 1950s was a miserable decade for Italy, as the country suffered terribly from the 1949 Superga Air Disaster that wiped out almost the entire 'Grande Torino' squad. Despite this, the Azzurri would still have expected to qualify for Sweden '58 but a shock final-day defeat in Belfast to Northern Ireland saw the hosts take their place. Undoubtedly the worst period in Italy's history, it would be 1960 – more than two-and-a-half years – before la Nazionale won another game.

6. PORTUGAL - 1998

With the Golden Generation of Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Joao Pinto, Portugal had their best chance since Eusebio and Mario Coluna in 1966 to make a major impact on a World Cup but, just like in 1990 and 1994, the Seleccao didn't make it to the finals in France. Portugal finished third behind Germany and Ukraine, with their fate having been sealed by a controversial draw in Berlin in which Rui Costa was dubiously dismissed with the visitors a goal to the good.

5. ENGLAND - 1994

England boss Graham Taylor had somehow managed to hold onto his job following their disastrous Euro '92 campaign, but had no such luck after The Three Lions failed to make it to USA '94. England lost away to qualifiers Norway and Holland, and even humiliatingly conceded a goal after just seven seconds to San Marino.

4. YUGOSLAVIA - 1994

Yugoslavia didn't even take part in qualifying for the 1994 World Cup – they were suspended following the outbreak of war that led to the dissolution and division into Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, and later Serbia and Montenegro. At the time of hostilities, it can be argued that Yugoslavia were the strongest team in the world – boasting the likes of Dragan Stojkovic, Zvonimir Boban, Dejan Savicevic, Davor Suker, Darko Pancev, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Robert Prosinecki and Srecko Katanec to name but a few of the star players available to them.

3. SCOTLAND - 1970

In the late 60s and early 70s, Scottish football was feared and respected all over Europe, with Celtic winning the European Cup in 1967 and Rangers the European Cup Winners' Cup five years later. Scotland took the cream from the Glasgow giants – the likes of Jimmy Johnstone and John Greig – as well England-based stars such as Denis Law and Billy Bremner, but finished behind the mighty West Germany in their qualifying group for the 1970 World Cup after a classic 3-2 defeat in Hamburg.

2. NETHERLANDS - 2002

Despite possessing a host of world class players, such as Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Marc Overmars and Jaap Stam, Louis van Gaal's Oranje finished third in their qualifying group behind Portugal and Republic of Ireland, surprisingly losing 1-0 to the latter in a decisive clash in Dublin.

1. FRANCE - 1994

France, who four years later would win the World Cup in their own country, were cruising to the United States after picking up 13 points out of a possible 16 in Uefa Group 6. Les Bleus, containing stars such as Jean-Pierre Papin, David Ginola, Eric Cantona, Didier Deschamps and Marcel Desailly, required just one point from their last two home games against whipping boys Israel, and Bulgaria, but flopped – conceding injury-time goals as they lost both games.