..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal target Taarabt is better off at QPR, claims Mark Hughes

QPR manager Mark Hughes has warned Arsenal and other suitors that they will face a struggle to sign Adel Taarabt, insisting that Loftus Road is the best place for the Moroccan midfielder to continue his development.

The Rs are currently bottom of the Premier League after a 1-0 loss against Stoke City on Saturday left them without a win in 11 games, but the 23-year-old has impressed with his dribbling and shooting ability so far this season. Even though Arsene Wenger is reportedly interested in bringing the talented youngster to the Emirates Stadium, Hughes is adamant that Taarabt is happy where he is and can become an even better player.

"It wouldn't surprise me if clubs were looking at [Taarabt], but I know for a fact that he is very happy here and he sees his future here," Hughes told reporters. "This is the best place for him, because we support him, we give him the best chance to be successful, and he understands that."

Hughes believes that the midfielder has worked harder to become a team player, which was a criticism during QPR's first season back in the top flight in 2011-12 when Taarabt was not a regular fixture in the starting XI.

"He is working exceptionally hard for the team, which in the past has been a criticism of him," Hughes said.

"That's not the case now. He is in a really good place now in terms of his attitude to his work and what he is able to produce on the pitch. We are really pleased with what he is showing on the pitch.

"He's an outstanding player. In terms of ability alone he is arguably one of the best players I have played or worked with. Obviously that is not the whole package. There are still parts of his game that he has to work on and he understands that."

 

[nVIDIA]

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[Wolverine GTR]

Menez blasts 'disproportionate' France suspensions

Paris Saint-Germain winger Jeremy Menez has blasted the suspension of five France Under-21 players, including Yann M'Vila, claiming the decisions by the French FA were hugely unfair.


Menez remarked that the suspension of M'Vila and the other four players (Antoine Griezmann, Chris Mavinga, Wissam Ben Yedder and M'Baye Niang) is extreme, given his own run-in with the French Football Federation after Euro 2012.

"The suspension is hugely disproportionate. These are young players, and they did something stupid. It can happen to everyone," the former Roma player told Le Parisien. "These sanctions will cut their international momentum. Regarding Yann M'Vila, given his talent, he was soon to return to the France team. It must be very hard [for him].

"The suspension should not be mixed [with the incidents at World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012]. If it is, it really is not fair. I hope they have the support of all the players and that eventually, the penalties will be reduced. They must use [appeals]. They have the lawyers for that."

Talking about his own behavior following Euro 2012, Menez iterated that he worked over the summer to improve his conduct, after consultations with his family.

"It is not necessarily [the one-match ban], it was the remarks of my family on my behavior," Menez said. "Last year I took too many cards. I realized that if I calmed down, I would grow and be better. The punishment didn't change me, it is better to discuss with the players to make them understand his mistakes.

"I questioned [myself] during the last summer. I wanted to calm myself down. I focus more on my game. I must say, I do not give a good account of myself."

Given the poor image of the 'Generation 1987' players, including Samir Nasri and Hatem Ben Arfa, have garnered for themselves, Menez insists that controversy doesn't affect him.

"I'm getting used to it, and it doesn't affect me, this is what I told my family, my wife," Menez added. "I wanted to change, especially for them. [France coach] Didier Deschamps told me that I had to change for me but also for the team. When the speech is positive, I listen, especially when it comes from a person of this caliber."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool forward Suarez: I'm no diver

Luis Suarez is adamant that he is not a diver or a cheat, despite the poor reputation the Uruguayan has picked up during his time in the Premier League.

The Liverpool striker has often been at the forefront of controversial incidents since joining Liverpool from Ajax in 2011 as a replacement for the Chelsea-bound Fernando Torres, who comes up against his former club at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Despite ringing endorsements about his quality on the field from his captain Steven Gerrard and manager Brendan Rodgers, Suarez remains a divisive figure among fans - something he feels is unwarranted.

"I insist I don’t dive in the penalty area," the 25-year-old Suarez told The Sun. "This is my career and the bad reputation created around me is unjust. There always seems to be controversy surrounding me, but I accept the referee’s decisions - they are only human.

"I accept the criticism against me, but many people attack me without reason. That doesn’t please me, but I try to do my best day by day. If you analyze the statistics I am one of the forwards who receives the most fouls and free kicks."

The Uruguayan forward is enjoying a fairly prolific season in front of goal, netting seven times for the struggling Reds so far this campaign. It is his form that has led to support from his manager and teammates, with his Gerrard comparing Suarez to Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

“He plays the false No. 9 role like Messi does for Barcelona, where he moves freely and others have to get in behind him to penetrate. He is a world-class striker,” Gerrard said.

Despite the obvious comparisons with former Anfield star Fernando Torres, Suarez insists that he and the Spaniard are completely different players.

"Torres is highly regarded by Liverpool fans, but I prefer not to draw comparisons between us, because we are a different type of forward," Suarez added. "I am not envious of anything he did for Liverpool. Maybe we are similar in the way we battle against defenders and our passion is the same, but technically we are different."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

hey kohomada machan ?

Mama Hodin aiyaKohomada Aiyata?

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Gerrard to undergo scan ahead of Sweden clash

Steven Gerrard will undergo scans on a knee injury ahead of England's friendly against Sweden on Wednesday, the Football Association has confirmed.

Roy Hodgson's squad has already been hit by a swathe of casualties from the weekend's action, with Wayne Rooney, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott, Jonjo Shelvey and Kyle Walker all pulling out.

Gerrard was thought be the latest to join them after picking up an injury against Chelsea at the weekend in the second half of the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, but his club manager Brendan Rodgers believes he will be fine for the trip.

"I think Steven will be alright," Rodgers told Liverpool's official website. "He has just opened up his medial ligament a bit. He has got some ice on his knee and we'll find out the full extent later on."

The FA believes Gerrard will be fit and he is in line to earn his 100th international cap for his country in the game against Erik Hamren's side in Stockholm.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matthaus: Gomez will have to wait for Bayern Munich comeback

Former Bayern Munich defender Lothar Matthaus believes that Mario Gomez will have to wait to make his comeback from injury due to the form of other strikers.

Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro have scored 17 goals between them already this campaign, and Matthaus thinks that the Germany striker may have to play the waiting game as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery he had in the summer.

"He must take a back seat because the injury has him thrown back and others have taken advantage," he told Alendzeitung. "Gomez is not a new player who has nothing to prove. [Jupp] Heynckes has done well psychologically. But Gomez will not come back and play. He will have to wait to get one or two short appearances.

"Last season he would have been straight back into the starting team but not this season. That is the strength Bayern now have."

Gomez scored 41 goals last season as the German side reached the Champions League final, but Matthaus has insisted that no one can rest on their laurels at the Allianz Arena due to the strength in depth the club now possesses.

"At Bayern there is a trend. Everyone is replaceable and they must be good enough to play in the starting 11," he said. "That is the secret of success. No one can rest, just like last year. Mario had a great three years at Bayern with a superb goal average - but the other strikers have that now too. There will be no free ride for Mario Gomez."

The former Germany captain admitted that he would not know which of the club's three strikers he would pick if they were all fit as they all bring different skills to the table.

"We know he [Gomez] scores goals, but he has to face competition. Last year the competition was Nils Pedersen. And now? All three have a nose for goal and are forwards on a similar level, but of different types," he went on.

"Gomez the penalty area striker, Mandzukic rather a combination player who works hard for the team, and Pizarro's qualities you have all seen after so many years. If all three are fit, I would not say that one is stronger than the other. The coach may want to vary it to surprise the opposition."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo urges Neymar to do his talking on the pitch

Brazil legend Ronaldo insists Santos attacker Neymar should let his football do the talking on the pitch rather than get involved with media rumors about his future ahead of World Cup 2014 in their home country.

There has been constant speculation about where Neymar will end up if he eventually leaves the Brazilian club and the youngster has also had to deal with criticism from some quarters regarding his recent performances for the Selecao.

However, Ronaldo, who is no to stranger to the pressure that comes on the international stage, having had a reported panic attack the night before his World Cup final 3-0 loss to France in 1998, feels the 20-year-old should ignore the doubters and focus on doing his best for his country.

"If I could give him one piece of advice, it would be not to pay too much attention to what people are saying," said Ronaldo to Globe Esporte. "He should concentrate on training hard and enjoying his football.

"That will go a long way to helping Brazil win the tournament."

Neymar has scored 16 goals in his 25 appearances for the Selecao, and will look to score more as Brazil faces an in-form Colombia on Wednesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Materazzi: Benitez was nothing compared to Mourinho

Former Inter defender Marco Materazzi has revealed that he was devastated when Jose Mourinho left the San Siro and was replaced by Rafa Benitez.

Real Madrid coach Mourinho left Italy in 2010 after guiding the Nerazzurri to an unprecedented treble and Materazzi has admitted he was saddened when the Portuguese told him that he would be departing.

"Mourinho was number one. His secret was to make the players feel involved in the project," he explained on television program Undici. "In Madrid [during the 2010 Champions League final], he told me that he was leaving. I said to him: 'Damn you for leaving me with Benítez.'"

Materazzi was videoed in an emotional embrace with Mourinho after the former Chelsea boss left the club, and the defender has admitted that Benitez did not take kindly to the former Perugia man having photos of his former trainers on his locker.

"I did not get on well with Benitez. He made me remove pictures of the most important moments of my career with Mourinho and [Marcello] Lippi from my locker," he said. "He thought he knew everything, but he was afraid of his own shadow."

Materazzi was also asked to pick the best 11 players he has played with and against, and the inclusion of Zinedine Zidane raised a number of eyebrows after the pair's famous altercation in the 2006 World Cup final which saw the Frenchman sent off.

"Julio Cesar, Maicon, [Fabio] Cannavaro, Materazzi and [Christian]Chivu in defense," Materazzi explained. "[Gennaro] Gattuso, [Dejan] Stankovic and [Daniele] De Rossi in midfield, with [Antonio] Cassano, Zidane and [Samuel] Eto'o up front.

"Why Zidane? He has a place in my heart. He made me win a World Cup."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Buck: Chelsea had no choice but to report Clattenburg

Chelsea had no choice but to report Mark Clattenburg to the Football Association for using racist language, chairman Bruce Buck insists.

The Blues filed a complaint following last month's controversial Premier League defeat to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, claiming that Clattenburg, the referee that day, had called midfielder Jon Obi Mikel a "monkey".

Clattenburg has not refereed a match since as both the FA and the Metropolitan Police conduct separate investigations into the matter, and some have suggested Chelsea's complaint may have been maliciously motivated.

That the incident occurred while Blues captain John Terry was serving a four-match FA ban for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand has also left the club open to allegations of hypocrisy.

But Buck is adamant the club were duty-bound to report the matter once they became aware of it, and believes it would have been wrong to try to cover up the matter internally for PR purposes.

“The reaction has been very unfair,” he told the Evening Standard. “We weren’t interested in any confrontation with the referee or anybody else, had no thoughts of revenge on the referee.

“We were guided by obligations that are imposed by the Football Association and also as an employer. FA rule E14 basically says a participant shall immediately report to the association any incident or matter which may be considered to be a misconduct.

“Misconduct is a defined term under the FA regulations and includes such racial behaviour. We also had to ­consider the Equality Act 2010, which imposes an obligation on an employer to take certain actions if an employee is subject to discrimination by third parties.“Suppose we had tried to sweep this under the rug and said to the various players, ‘Look, it’s not a big deal and the press are going to be all over us, maybe you want to reconsider.' If that had leaked out, we would’ve really been crucified.

“I spoke to the players involved, either because they were allegedly the recipient of that abuse or had heard it, three separate times. I asked them if they could be mistaken. I asked them, if they might have heard 'Mikel' instead of 'monkey'. I thought I had covered that base.

“[The decision] was made after a great deal of anguish and after talking long and hard that evening about what should we do.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Shawcross looking to become England regular

Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross has revealed his target of becoming a regular member of the England international setup, having been called up to the squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Sweden.

The Chester-born center back has not taken to the field in an England shirt so far, but could well collect his first cap on Wednesday evening following some dependable performances at the heart Tony Pulis’ defense.

It is the third time Shawcross has been summoned by Roy Hodgson, and the defender has admitted he is now starting to feel comfortable as a part of his country’s international setup.

"On a personal level, if I'm doing okay and being consistent, I always felt that I had enough to hopefully break into the England squad,” Shawcross told FATV. “And luckily enough I have done, so I want to stay in it.

"It's always good to come away with the national team and now I've been a few times I'm starting to feel at home. Hopefully we can get a positive result out in Sweden and that's the main point of this week really.”

Shawcross also discussed his eligibility to represent British rival Wales at the senior level, having done so as a schoolboy, although he insisted he never considered it as a serious option.

"When I was a schoolboy, I played for Wales because I went to school [there] but when I turned 16, there was a rule that said I couldn't play for Wales," he explained. "But in recent months, that rule changed and I can play for Wales again. But I've always wanted to play for England and I spoke to Chris Coleman, and Gary Speed before that, and made it clear that I wanted to play for England, so there was never really any choice."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Eriksen undecided on Ajax future

Christian Eriksen has admitted he is unsure if he will sign a new deal at Ajax as speculation continues to grow about the player's future with the Eredivisie champion.

The midfielder has been linked with a number of European heavyweights since bursting onto the scene in the Dutch domestic league, and the 20-year-old explained that despite the club wanting him to sign a new contract, he is exploring all avenues that are available to him.

"I feel good at Ajax and the club want to make a new deal," he told Sporten.dk. "But sometimes I've got the feeling that I'm ready for the next step in my career. It's not the case that I won't sign a new deal for sure, but I'm looking at all the options."

The Denmark international's contract runs until the summer of 2014, but the club's technical director Marc Overmars has revealed that the Amsterdam ArenA outfit wants to discuss a new deal at the start of next year.

"We would like Christian to sign a new contract, but he still does not know what he wants," he explained to Sporten.dk. "Conversations with him and his agent have taken place and we will see what happens after December."

Former Barcelona winger Overmars also admitted the club has had no contact with other sides regarding the sale of the prodigious talent but has vowed to help the youngster make the correct decision for his career.

"At this moment, we have not heard from other clubs," he said. "It is Christian's choice in any case and it is important that he makes the right choice. Together with Ajax we will make sure he is fine."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City winner hard to take for Tottenham, admits Caulker

Steven Caulker has confessed that Edin Dzeko's late winner for Manchester City on Sunday was hard to swallow for Tottenham.

"The lads put in a lot of effort and it's hard to take that result with a late goal," Caulker told the club's official website.

The Bosnian substitute struck in the 88th minute to secure a 2-1 win for the Premier League champions at Etihad Stadium, despite Caulker's first-half header giving Spurs the lead.

It left Andre Villas-Boas and his squad stewing over a third defeat in its last four games and in seventh place in the table after being leapfrogged by Everton, West Brom and West Ham over the weekend.

The 20-year-old revealed the atmosphere in the dressing room was one of disappointment after the game, but insists Spurs can take positives from their performance and use them as ammunition going into the north London derby with rivals Arsenal on Saturday.

"We were comfortable at half time. Obviously, I was delighted to score the goal, that got us in front and we were looking steady," Caulker explained. "In the second half we started to drop off with their pressure, they kept going and scored two goals in the end."

He added, "They are a strong side and we can take a lot of pride in that performance, especially in the first half. We'll try to bounce back in the North London derby next week."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic wins Swedish Player of the Year award

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named Swedish Player of the Year following his impressive performances throughout 2012.

The powerful attacker netted an impressive 28 goals in 32 Serie A appearances for AC Milan in 2011-12, before leaving the Rossoneri for PSG in the summer transfer window.

He has since developed into a key player at the Ligue 1 giants, and has been rewarded for his fine form with the prestigious individual Swedish award.

"It's proof I have had a good year and that I keep developing as a player. I hope to stand here and say the same thing again next year," the PSG star said on receiving the award.

The trophy is given by Aftonbladet and the Swedish Football Association to the best male Swedish footballer each year.

Ibrahimovic has now won the award seven times in total, and six consecutive times.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Huntelaar: Netherlands will beat Germany

Schalke attacker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is confident that the Netherlands has what it takes to beat Germany in Wednesday's international friendly at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Oranje were beaten 2-1 by their archrivals at Euro 2012, while losing a friendly in November 2011 3-0, but Huntelaar has little doubt that they will do better this time around with the support of their fans.

"Netherlands against Germany is always a special game. The fans will be fully behind us and we want to win it. I say: 1-0 to Netherlands," Huntelaar told De Telegraaf.

Holland has integrated a number of promising youngsters since Louis van Gaal replaced Bert van Marwijk as national team coach after this summer's European Championship failure, and Huntelaar sees the match against Germany as the perfect test to see where they stand.

"Germany are on of the best teams in the world and Wednesday's game will be a good test for us. We have a good team with a lot of young players," Huntelaar explained. "This is a chance to measure ourselves against a big team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Rossi handed three-match Roma suspension for slap

Roma coach Zdenek Zeman will have to cope without the services of Daniele De Rossi for a while as the Italy international has been handed a three-match ban following his straight red card against Lazio at the weekend.

De Rossi was dismissed by referee Gianluca Rocchi in the closing seconds of the first half after he slapped Stefano Mauri, and the Lega Serie A does not take the midfielder's action lightly.

The 29-year-old was already dropped from the Italy squad by national team coach Cesare Prandelli following his red card, and he will now have to watch Roma's next three league games from the stands, too.

His suspension means that De Rossi misses the Serie A matches versus Torino, Pescara and Siena.

Roma will also be without the likes of Nicolas Burdisso and Panagiotis Tachtsidis versus Torino as the duo was handed a one-match ban after they both received their fourth yellow card of the season against Lazio.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kaka hails Falcao ahead of Brazil-Colombia friendly

Real Madrid forward Kaka has heaped praise on Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

The pair's clubs may well be fierce rivals, but that has not stopped the two from becoming firm friends, and the 30-year-old Brazilian spoke of his appreciation for the Colombian's world-class ability ahead of Brazil's meeting with Colombia in New Jersey on Wednesday.

"Radamel Falcao is an excellent talent," Kaka told Lance! "He is also a great friend of mine, and I often meet with him in Madrid. Our families are friends, and I hope that remains for a long time."

Kaka and Falcao will face off against one another in the friendly at Met Life Stadium, and despite Kaka enjoying something of a second coming for the national side, the former AC Milan man and 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year is refusing to take his place for granted after getting another call-up from manager Mano Menezes.

"I feel good to have played the last two games (with Brazil); however, my place is far from consolidated. They were two important games and I did well, but I still have a lot to give to the squad," Kaka said.

The Real Madrid man also acknowledged the threat posed by the Selecao's latest opponents, who are 5-2-1 in CONMEBOL 2014 World Cup qualifying.

"Colombia have some incredible players, and we will have to be at our best to win the game," Kaka said.

 

[FAReeQUE]

SUPERB

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Holloway: Zaha is unique and can play at the very top level

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has lauded young forward Wilfried Zaha as "unique" and a "pure talent" and believes the player has a very bright future ahead of him.

The 20-year-old has been given the chance to represent England after being drafted into Roy Hodgson's squad for the friendly versus Sweden, and the new Palace coach believes he will win many new fans if he gets the chance to show what he can do on Wednesday.

"He is so unique," Holloway told the Daily Mirror. "He is an untouched, pure talent. I've never worked with anyone like him - he just wants to get the ball and beat people, however many there are, he can do it.

"Before I got to Palace, I was hearing a lot about this boy and I thought, 'Is he better than anybody else?'

"Now I have seen him. Good gracious me, it is quite unbelievable what he can do, and hopefully, a lot of fans around the country will see him still progress because it is so pure.

"Hopefully, if he does play on Wednesday, people will see that and I believe he can do it at the very, very top level.

Although Zaha has been called up to the England squad, as it is a friendly match the Ivory Coast-born forward could still choose to play for his country of birth. However, Holloway has urged the promising youngster to take advantage of the opportunity presented, and that the decision on his international future can be made at a later date.

"At the moment, I just want him to totally and utterly enjoy himself and express himself," Holloway said.

"I just want him to go and play with a smile on his face. I am never going to let my mouth write a check that his body can't cash.

"The boy is fresh, youthful, exuberant and if he can take this into a game, I think the England supporters, or the Ivory Coast supporters, will see what he can do.

"At the end of the day, this is a friendly and he can play in a friendly without committing himself and he should and that was my advice to him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Jones set for Manchester United return

Manchester United has been handed a major boost with the news that Phil Jones could make a return to first-team action at the weekend after resuming training on Monday.

The defender has yet to feature this season having battled with a back problem and then suffered an injury to his knee cartilage. Ahead of a trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City, though, the Red Devils will have their defensive ranks bolstered by the 20-year-old.

Sir Alex Ferguson is still without Nemanja Vidic due to a knee issue and recently lost Jonny Evans to a groin strain in the UEFA Champions League victory over Sporting Braga. With the Scot eager to hold back Chris Smalling following his own return from a lengthy injury absence, the news of Jones' recovery will be a timely boost.

Jones has five caps for England but was overlooked by Roy Hodgson as he selected his Euro 2012 squad.