Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has expressed his concerns about hanging on to star striker Hugo Rodallega.
The Columbian striker is yet to sign a new contract at the DW Stadium and with only a year left on his current deal, Wigan are desperate to get the striker’s future resolved one way of other, so they can get some sort of fee if a new deal cannot be reached.
Both Tottenham and Liverpool sent scouts to Wigan last Saturday, however was left disappointed as he was put on the bench due to the uncertainty over his future.
Martinez is desperate to keep hold of Rodallega, but admits that he won’t stand in his way if the right offer comes in. It is believed that Wigan are holding out for £9m, a fee that is unlikely to scare off the Premier League duo.
“He is a very important part of our plans. If he does well enough, it’s only fair that we do not stand in his way if the chance of a big move comes along.
“Unless we can go on to the next level, and perhaps make it into one of the European competitions, it is impossible to keep players when they are in the best moments of their careers.
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“When you are successful at a club like Wigan, you are going to lose players. That is the reality and you have to accept it.
“I think we are prepared to lose players, allow them to move on when a big offer comes in, as we showed with Charles.” (Mirror)
It’s always an exciting time when a young player breaks through the ranks ready to take the world by storm. A product of your clubs own breeding bursting at the seams to run out onto the hallowed home turf and perform in front of the fans sitting in the seat where he used to only a few years prior.
Yes there is always a tangible optimism that sweeps around a football club and a city when a young player makes the breakthrough into the first team and is hailed as the man to fill the bare trophy cabinet with silver wear aplenty. Subsequently people rush to the bookies t0 put the obvious bet on that he will go on to captain his country and lift the World Cup.
All of those prophesied moments before the young prodigy has even laced up their boots and kicked a ball cause a buzzing sensation of hope sweeping around. But with so many young players these days only a handful actually go on to live up to expectations and fulfil the potential scouts saw in them when they were just starting to play the beautiful game.
There have been so many stories of players down the years being touted as the next big thing only to fall so far into obscurity that people barely even remember their name. It’s always saddening to see a player with so much promise easily slip into the darkness and find themselves warming the substitutes bench or plying their trade in the lower divisions. Some may say they are given too much too soon!
Injuries, wealth and just a general lack of desire are just some of the factors that contribute to the downfall of some of the Premier Leagues most talented younger players.
I decided to compile a list of the ten players that I thought failed to build on the promise seen in them during their younger days!
Click on Matt Jansen to unveil the list
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Fernando Torres makes his way to the top of our newsdesk for the second day running after video has appeared of the Spaniard seemingly criticising his Chelsea teammates for being “too slow” – and apportioning part of the blame for his poor performance to their lack of pace. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed the club are “going in-depth” to find the original video, which Torres insists was mis-translated from the Spanish. Problem is, it appeared on his own website.
Elsewhere around today’s papers, Rafael van der Vaart questions Spurs’ dedication to the Europe League, Arsene Wenger has warned that none of the English clubs can stop Spain’s big two, Sir Alex Ferguson reveals that Manchester United will turn to their more experienced players for Wednesday’s clash with Benfica, and Liverpool are learning to take the rough with the smooth.
FA deny Channel 4 programme’s accusations of covering up drugs tests – Daily Mirror
Anzhi Makhachkala must wait for Capello – but not for long – Daily Mail
Wenger fears none of the English giants can handle Barcelona – or Real – The Sun
Fergie: Newest Fledglings not ready for the biggest stage just yet – The Guardian
Villas-Boas admits club are chasing Torres video – Daily Mail
Van der Vaart unimpressed by Spurs’ Euro apathy – The Sun
Sunderland want-away Gyan believes Al-Ain are an “important” club – Daily Mail
FA seeking to change its image, taking cues from across the pond – The Guardian
Dalglish escapes fine – but defender Johnson is less fortunate – Daily Mirror
Cahill: Regardless of financial situation, Everton don’t need to spend – Daily Mirror
Rovers game a ‘baptism of fire’ for new boy Ruiz – The Independent
Henry Winter’s take on last night’s QPR-Newcastle stalemate – Daily Telegraph
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hailed star striker Robin van Persie, after the hitman bagged a brace in the 3-1 win over Stoke on Sunday.
The Netherlands international started the game on the bench, but entered the fray at 1-1 to score the decisive goals for the Emirates outfit.
With Van Persie now carrying the bulk of The Gunners’ goal-scoring responsibilities, the French coach was full of praise for the match-winner.
“Leaving a player like Robin out is always a risk but medically he needed a break,” Wenger told Sky Sports.
“We knew we could have 20 to 30 minutes without that risk and he used that time well. He has fantastic quality and when you look at his record it’s remarkable.”
Arsenal started the Premier League slowly, but have started to put a revival together, and Wenger feels his side are improving with every game.
“It was an important game for us. You could see we played well and played with spirit.
“Our fans are behind the team completely again after a difficult period because they see that the team plays with a fantastic attitude. Our quality is improving from game to game,” he concluded.
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Wenger’s men face a test to see how far they have come next weekend, as they travel to Stamford Bridge to take on London rivals Chelsea.
Everton have been handed a huge boost as midfielder Marouane Fellaini has agreed to a new five-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2016.
The Belgium international’s deal at Goodison Park was due to expire in the summer of 2013, and there were fears on Merseyside that the club would be forced to sell their prize asset this summer to avoid losing him on a Bosman ruling.
However after negotiations over the last number of months Fellaini has put pen to paper on a new contract.
“We’re all pleased that Marouane Fellaini has signed his new contract and we’re looking forward to working with him in the years to come,” coach David Moyes stated.
Club chief executive Robert Elstone has admitted that the agreement is excellent news for the side, and that Fellaini is an important member of Moyes’ squad.
“We are delighted to have secured the services of Marouane for the long term,” Elstone told the club’s official website.
“As everyone is aware these negotiations have been ongoing for some time but both parties remained positive that we would reach agreement.
“Marouane has been a hugely influential player for Everton since his arrival in 2008 and we hope that remains to be the case for the next five years,” he concluded.
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Arsenal starlet Emmanuel Frimpong has admitted that he is considering a loan move in the January transfer window, as first-team opportunities at the Emirates Stadium have become limited.
The 19-year-old is behind the likes of Alex Song, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey in the pecking order for a central midfield berth, and with Jack Wilshere also set to return from injury in the new year, Frimpong can expect to play a fringe role in North London.
The youngster is willing to put in the effort to try to get more time on the pitch, and knows he may have to be patient.
“Obviously I had a decent start to the season but when players like Alex Song are back, along with Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, it’s normal that they’ll play because they’re more senior than I am,” he told the club’s official website.
“Aaron and Alex had to wait for their chances in the past and that’s what happens in football. You have to be patient and can’t expect to be thrown straight in. You need to keep learning and hope that, when your chance comes, everything goes well.
“At the moment it’s hard for me to get into the team, no doubt about that. When you aren’t playing, the obvious choice is to go out for a little while and try to get some game time.
“When January comes we’ll see, you never know how things will go, so we’ll look at it then,” he concluded.
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Now it is not often you will see me do this, but I am about to praise Barcelona. Dad if you’re reading this, don’t panic I have not got a gun to my head, I am genuinely impressed by something they have done.
What is this thing I hear you cry – well Barcelona now include buy back clauses in the sales of their young players – Romeu being the latest one to have such a clause. This will give them at the very least the option to have first refusal on the player should Chelsea wish to sell him, and at a very reasonable price too. It is also claimed by Mundo Deportivo that Barcelona have the option to buy the player back not only this summer, but also in the summer of 2013 – without Chelsea’s consent and even worse, for a pre-arranged fee– contrary to what AVB claimed. Mind you, this is the man who does not judge strikers on the amount of goals they score, but all in all, some pretty savvy business from the Catalans and Rosell.
Well to be fair, after the humiliation of having to pay huge sums of money, not to mention courting both Pique and Cesc for months before convincing them to return ‘home’ it is about time the club started protecting its unbelievably talented La Masia players.
Now the idea is to let them progress through the ranks, then sell them to another club for a couple of years, allow them first team experience and see if they do develop into the level of player required at the Catalan giants, and then sweep in and take them from under the unsuspecting club who have placed them in their first team and allowed them to grow as a player. If anyone else did this, God only knows how the media and clubs would react, but been as though Barca are ‘more than a club’ I am sure everyone will see this as almost a community service, allowing the player to return home to the Camp Nou.
Even I am willing to admit, this is a masterstroke by the club, and one that other clubs will surely admire – perhaps not Chelsea – and implement in their own transfers of young players, for no other reason than to keep hold or at least have the option of doing so on their young players.
It is difficult to see if a player that looks good at youth level will react and improve when put into a first team, and sometimes they need time to bed in, and this is something that clubs like United and Real Madrid cannot afford to give. Should the club not wish to send the player out on loan, they could use this strategy of a buy back clause at a pre-arranged and lets fact it nominal fee.
It could also encourage clubs who are on the fence over selling a player to go through with it, on the understanding that they have at the very least the first option to get the player back. Not only this, but it can persuade a player to move from what they consider their home with the knowledge that they can return one day – Romeu has stated that although he is grateful to Chelsea for providing him with the opportunity to play first team football at such a top club, he sees Barcelona as his home and one day wishes to return there. How soon that is remains to be seen, but given the impact he has made at Chelsea so far, they will be hoping it is later rather than sooner!
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QPR manager Neil Warnock has stated that Joey Barton’s sending off against Norwich was ridiculous, as The Canaries beat their newly promoted opponents 2-1 at Loftus Road on Monday.
Barton had given the hosts the lead after 11 minutes before being dismissed just after the half hour mark; Anthony Pilkington and Steve Morison goals secured the win for the visitors.
Barton was sent off for head-butting Bradley Johnson, and Warnock was furious with the decision after the game.
“The referee didn’t see it at all. It’s the linesman that’s informed him he saw Joey Barton headbutt Bradley Johnson, which is ridiculous really,” Warnock told Sky Sports.
“I think he’s guessed it because of Johnson’s reaction of flinging his head back. You say cheats don’t prosper but I think he has done in this case, Johnson.
“Then to rub it in by (acting) as if his face has been hurt. But he’s conned him and unfortunately the man that’s important, the linesman, has fallen for it hook, line and sinker. I think he got carried away by the occasion.
“It’s disappointing, very disappointing. Because I thought we’d started to do well,” he stated.
Meanwhile Barton has stated that he feels that the officials were conned into making a decision due to Johnson’s reaction.
“Well I feel for the officials, they’ve been conned. Admitted to me at half-time they never saw it. I was pulled back 1st, then kicked 2nd,” he stated on Twitter.
“The linesman definitely never saw it, all he seen was Johnson’s reaction. My head doesn’t move forward at all. Ridiculous decision, seen 25 replays,” he concluded.
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Norwich are up to 9th place with the win, whilst QPR are down in 17th and looking like relegation candidates.
It promises to be a real ‘Super Sunday’ as four of the top five, face-off in Sky’s double bill. It is revenge time for the North London duo, who were both on the end of a trouncing the last time they played their Manchester rivals.
While both Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini have been quick to play down their results from earlier in the season and expect a lot tougher contest this time around, Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger have gone on the defensive, with Redknapp suggesting how tough Spurs have it against the millions of City, while Arsene Wenger believes that referees penalise Arsenal more than any other club in the country.
Arsene Wenger believes it will be a total disaster if Arsenal doesn’t finish in the top four this season. The Frenchman says anything less than Champions League football won’t be enough for the Gunners and it will be a major setback if they don’t qualify – Guardian
Kenny Dalglish has spoken up for Stewart Downing, who has come in for some unwanted stick from sections of the Liverpool faithful. The Scot believes that Stewart Downing has been a fantastic signing and suggests that his decision to play the winger in a variety of positions, rather than his natural left side, hasn’t made it easy for him to settle at Anfield – Guardian
David Moyes admits that he wanted the Everton reserve team to compete in the Conference. The Toffees’ boss believes the competitive nature would have made his second string better and aided the development of his younger players – Guardian
Joey Barton has stuck the boot into Neil Warnock following his sacking from Queens Park Rangers. The controversial midfielder said that Warnock should look closer to home for the reasons why he was axed as manager, rather than blaming anyone else – Daily Telegraph
Gary Cahill has reiterated that the reasons behind the delays to his move to Chelsea had nothing to do with money. Cahill claimed that if it was simply down to a bigger financial package then he could have sat tight at Bolton until the summer – Daily Telegraph
Harry Redknapp and Roberto Mancini got involved in some verbal sparring ahead of tomorrow’s game at the Etihad Stadium. Redknapp believes that life must be easy when you have a bottomless pit of money to spend on players and wages. Mancini responded by saying that if Spurs are short of a few quid then he’ll happily lend them some on Sunday – Independent
Andre Villas-Boas has reported launched a £20m bid for Shakhtar’s Brazilian midfielder Willian to bolster his ranks – Daily Mail
Tottenham are refusing to sell Niko Kranjcar in the January transfer window, as Redknapp sees the Croatian as a key part of his squad for the season ahead – Mirror
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Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign Milos Krasic from Juventus. The Serb isn’t wanted by Conte, who would welcome the extra funds to help rebuild the Juve squad – Mirror
Ryan Giggs marked his 900th appearance for Manchester United by scoring an injury-time winner against Norwich on Sunday to give his side a 2-1 win.
Paul Scholes had given the Premier League champions the lead inside seven minutes, but a Grant Holt effort with six minutes remaining looked to have salvaged a point for the Canaries; however Giggs had other ideas and scored in the first minute of stoppage time.
Sir Alex Ferguson was not especially happy with his team’s efforts at Carrow Road, but heralded the achievements of his veteran midfielder.
“It could prove to be very special, but for Ryan to score the winning goal with the last kick of the ball on his 900th game, well, he probably deserves that for the career he’s had,” the Scottish coach told Sky Sports.
“But I have to say we were lucky today in the sense that although we made a host of chances, Danny Welbeck could have scored four. I thought Norwich were the better team.
“In that first half, they put 12 crosses into the box and if it wasn’t for (Rio) Ferdinand, (Jonny) Evans and David de Gea, we wouldn’t have survived it,” he admitted.
Giggs meanwhile was delighted with grabbing the winner, which he hopes will help The Red Devils in their title ambitions.
“Yeah, it was obviously special and Norwich made it a tough game for us and they played really well. To score late on is always nice and to get the winner is a bonus,” he concluded.
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