Feb 27
Chelsea have become the first football club to cut a deal with YouTube. It's a shame they can't show match action (don't think Sky would be too happy about that!); all you get at the moment are the latest news bulletins from Chelsea TV.
Jan 17
According to his agent, Kepa Blanco is on his way to the Premiership. Charlton were thought to be interested but apparently it is now a two-horse race with the Striker likely to join either West Ham or Manchester City for a 6-month loan.
Although the under-21 international has had limited opportunities at Sevilla this season, he has managed 6 goals in 8 appearances.
By the look of the youtube video (see below) whoever does secure his services will be getting a brave poacher who is good in the air, but definately not too much flair! Man City and West Ham fans look away at around the 2 minute mark.
A few goals courtesy of Kepa Blanco (Youtube).
Jan 11
Football (don't dare call it soccer!) is rarely big news in America but Beckhams move to LA Galaxy seems to have captured the attention of the American public.
Check out the comments on Digg.com. My favourite is the guy who says Beckham isn't even a "scorer" (WTF!).
Jan 11
Who better to kick off our "Premiership Heroes" feature than Shay Given? It would have been easy to go for Henry, Lampard etc but we felt that Shay is a world-class performer who deserves a bit more recognition.
Newcastle are not known for their defensive solidity but who knows where they would be without such a quality stopper? The Irishman has been one of the premierships top keepers for years now, and he seems to keep on getting better.
Newcastle fans will be hoping (preying!) that rumours linking the Newcastle stopper with a move to Arsenal prove wide of the mark.
Jan 11
This morning's press are all over some fairly innocuous comments made by Jose Mourinho after he saw his injury-ravaged side held to a 1 - 1 draw at Wycombe.
Mourinho claimed that will be no new faces arriving in January, despite the fact that targets had been identified. He didn't give any reasons why this is the case but the tabloids have decided that he must be at war with the board.
There is no doubt that Chelsea are suffering at the moment but lets not forget that Mourinho is a master at using the press as a tool to build team spirit. Taken at face value, his comments are puzzling. Either he knows his days are numbered so doesn't care what happens (unlikely in my opinion) or there is a hidden motive behind his comments (isn't there always?)
Since Roman arrived with his ridiculously huge bank balance, Chelsea has been held to ransom in the transfer market, paying way over the odds for players. Perhaps the board will no longer stump up for inflated transfer fees. Jose's comments could be designed to put pressure on the likes of Man City, who are asking £20million for 18-year-old Micah Richards.
Alternatively could this be another case of the Chelsea manager putting himself in the firing line to take the pressure off his players? Nobody is talking about Michael Ballack or divisions in the Chelsea dressing room this morning. It could be that Mourinho has decided that press speculation about a boardroom split is less likely to effect team performance than talk of problems in the dressing room.
Jan 10
Newcastle United fans have had their fair share of dodgy buys in recent years.
Lets start with Ruud Gullit who splashed £5.8million on Elena Marcelino. The Spaniard arrived at St James Park with a big reputation only to depart, after only 19 appearances, with a big bank balance and not much else. Sir Bobby Robson welcomed Carl Cort for an unbelievable £7m. Jean Alain Boumsong arrived from Rangers for £8million thanks to Mr Souness.
However, one of the most mystifying failures in recent memory has got to be Albert Luque. The Spanish international (9 caps) has undoubted pedigree, scoring 26 goals in 100 appearances for Deportivo. There is even video evidence that he has talent.
It could be argued that Luque never got a fair run in the first team, maybe that he was played out of position, or even that he was never suited to the English game. Whatever the reason for Luque's failure comments by his agent, Francis Martin, will surely to add to the Geordies disdain. The BBC has a story about Luques possible loan to PSV in which Mr Martin says
"PSV are presently the most interesting option. He would like to play at the highest level again."
Newcastle, who knocked PSV out of the UEFA Cup in 2004, will no doubt be pleased to see the back of Luque if the move goes through.
Jan 09
Fulham gave landed Italian striker Vincenzo Montella on loan. Please not the following footage was before the back surgery..... and the shoulder operation... Class player though!
Jan 09
Interesting spot from the folks at nufc.com.
Glenn's number not up yet...
21st January 2006:
Newcastle lie 14th in the Premiership, having taken 26 points from their 22 league games, winning 7, losing 10 and drawing 5. Their goal difference is -5; their top scorer has 7 goals.
One match later and we'd sacked our manager.
2nd January 2007:
Newcastle lie 14th in the Premiership, having taken 26 points from their 22 league games, winning 7, losing 10 and drawing 5. Their goal difference is -5; their top scorer has 7 goals.
Dec 31
As the rumour mill moves into overdrive we take a look at some of the players likely be making the headlines during the January transfer window.
The Birmingham City defender is a class act who should really be playing at the highest level. The player himself would like to leave the Championship leaders but manager Steve Bruce is reluctant to let him go. Will anyone stump up enough cash to force the Midland club to sell? John Terry's back injury could provide Upson with an unlikely opportunity to move to Stamford Bridge.
The exiting 17 year-old left back has been linked to a number of top Premiership clubs after an impressive start to his Southampton career. Although his manager George Burley recently insisted he will not be going anywhere in January, the likes of Chelsea could push up the price to an irresistible level.
Derby County are enjoying an excellent run of form at the moment with 18 year old Giles Barnes providing energy and excitement in midfield. Newcastle United are said to be preparing a £1m bid.
Preston have managed to stave off reported interest from numerous top flight clubs in past transfer windows. Preston, currently lying second in the Championship, are in a good position to resist pressure to sell with the player himself insisting he will be a Preston player until the end of the season (at least).
Where did it all go so wrong? The latter half of 2006 was not great for Golden Balls. After being dropped from the England squad by Steve McClaren, Beckham also found himself out of favour at Real Madrid; could a move back home be the ideal way to get a fresh start and provide a fitting end to an amazing career?
Owen Hargreaves is the only England International in history who has never lived in England or played for an English club; Sir Alex Ferguson is said to want to change that. Hargreaves is currently out injured with a broken leg but could be back in action in a couple of weeks. Bayern Munich may be willing to do business if they find a suitable replacement.
With Newcastle short of firepower and Bettie short of first team opportunities at Everton it would seem that a move would suit all parties. Blackburn Rovers are thought to be interested in re-signing the England International who came through the youth system at Ewood Park.
Speculation suggests that Micah Richards is near the top of Chelsea's shopping list and when Chelsea want someone they usually get them. The 18 year old has only made 31 appearances for his current employers Man City but an astronomical transfer fee of £18 million has been mentioned in the press.
The explosive winger has been a bit-part player since his £21m move to Chelsea, coming on as substitute for 38 of his 56 appearances. Speculation is rife that a move is on the cards with West Ham and his former employers Man City heavily linked in the press. If a move does materialise there would not be many clubs who would turn down the opportunity to sign such an exiting player.
Will Charlton's season go from absolutely terrible to total disaster? The Addicks are struggling to cope with life after Alan Curbishly and currently lie rock bottom of the premiership. Darren Bent's form may be suffering alongside that of his club, but newly appointed manager Alan Pardew will be preying he can keep hold of last seasons most prolific English striker. A host of other Premiership clubs are said to be interested.
For more speculation check out:-
