Gunners confirmed that Malaysia will kick-start their first pre-season tour in Asia since 1999-giving their huge fan base here and in the region first hand opportunity to see Arsene Wenger's first team squad for the 2011/12 season live in action.
Arsenal's confirmation was announced last week by FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Ahmad Shah, Tom Fox, Chief Commercial Officer of Arsenal FC and Julian Kam, CEO of ProEvents Group, the sole and exclusive tour organiser of the Arsenal Asia Tour 2011.
Organised by the FAM, the Malaysian XI vs Arsenal match will be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on July 13 and the kick-off is at 8.45pm.
Tickets for the match range from RM58, RM68, RM108 and limited VIP ticket at RM388 and are available at selected Nike stores at KLCC, The Pavilion, Mid Valley, One Utama and Sunway and Ticketpro outlets nationwide. Alternetively, fans can call Ticketpro's hotline at 013-78807999 or book online through their website www.ticketpro.com.my.
There is a bonus for those who purchase their match ticket from May 27 - June 5 as each ticket will come with a complimentary training pass.
Sam Allardyce has confirmed he is on the verge of taking over as West Ham manager.
Reports surfaced on Friday linking the former Blackburn and Bolton boss with the Upton Park job and in an interview on Sunday the 56-year-old has claimed he is set to take the reins at the troubled club as soon as he returns from holiday with lawyers acting for both sides currently drawing up contracts.
He told the People: “Everything has been agreed in principle and I look forward to taking charge after I have had a family holiday. “It’s always difficult dealing with the aftermath of relegation but I want to get West Ham back into the Premier League as quickly as possible.”
Allardyce has been out of work since leaving Blackburn in December 2010, and was originally linked with the managerial role at Upton Park in January, as Avram Grant oversaw a troubled campaign which ended in the Hammers finishing rock bottom of the Premier League.
We've come across this leaked image of what's thought to be the new Bolton Wanderers Reebok 2011/12 Away Shirt.
The image was posted on a well known football retailers website, before being taken down seconds later.
So it appears that the new Bolton away shirt made by Reebok will be all black with yellow trim on the top of the shoulders and a yellow 'V' shape that runs from the shoulder to the middle of the jersey.
Official shirt sponsors 188 Bet have their name and logo in the middle of the shirt coloured white.
Manchester United and Chelsea look to lure Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric by tripling his pay to £130,000 per week – report Spurs man wants Champions League football again after this year’s experience and could see massive pay rise by moving to one of the top two Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly ready to offer a staggering triple pay rise to star midfielder Luka Modric to entice the player to leave Tottenham in the summer.
The 25-year-old, who would attract a transfer fee of around £30million, is currently on a £45,000 a week deal at White Hart Lane.
However, the Croatian could bump his wage up to at least £130,000 a week if he joins either Chelsea or United and would also have the opportunity of playing in the prestigious Champions League again. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy could make an exception to his wage structure to keep Modric at White Hart Lane but he will not offer as much as Chelsea or United.
(Goal.com)
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has made it clear he has no intention of selling any of his top talent but perhaps there is a fear that an offer of the kind illustrated by this source may tempt the Croatian into leaving the North London club. A failure to secure Champions League football has led many to believe that some of White Hart Lane’s star turns may seek a move this summer.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked with moves to bring in more creativity to the club’s midfield and has also been strongly linked with moves for Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart. Modric would add more of a link between midfield and attack and the former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder is a more offensive weapon than the likes of Michael Carrick, Anderson, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher.
Chelsea may see Modric as a potential long term replacement for veteran Frank Lampard and Roman Abramovich seems keen on splashing the cash and flexing his financial muscle having spent big to sign David Luiz and Fernando Torres in January. No doubt Tottenham will be looking to offer Modric an improved deal to help scare off prospective suitors but fortunately for Redknapp it does seem that the 25 year old seems very happy at the club.
Sunderland are managed by Steve Bruce and they are an English Premier League side.
After a promising start to the 2010-11 season, the club started to drop down several places in the 2nd half of the season and almost slipped into a relegation battle. They will be hoping to regroup and improve next season. One of the latest Premiership football shirts to be unveiled for next season is the new Sunderland 2011-12 away soccer jersey.
The 2011-12 Sunderland away football shirt is mostly light blue and has a white horizontal block running across the chest. The Umbro diamond logo is on the right chest and the Sunderland club badge sits on the left chest. The Tombola sponsor runs across the middle of the shirt in white text.
Let us know what you think of this new soccer jersey in the comments box below.
Rock solid: Rio Ferdinand bring vital composure and experience to Manchester United's defence Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Henrik Larsson (Barcelona 2004-06, Man Utd 2007) Last Updated: 11:05PM BST 27/05/2011
Now retired, Sweden's Henrik Larsson won a Premier League title with Manchester United and both La Liga and the Champions League with Barcelona. He here runs the rule over the former ahead of Saturday's Wembley showdown . . .
Manchester United
Edwin van der Sar (Goalkeeper) Age: 40 Champions League apps this season: 9. Goals: 0. Assists: 0. Yellow cards: 1. Red Cards: 0.
He has everything that you want from a goalkeeper - a great presence between the posts, superb positional sense - and he is a brilliant shot-stopper. Sir Alex Ferguson has bought two of the best keepers in his time at United in Peter Schmeichel and Van der Sar and that is one of the big reasons he has been so successful. The Dutchman has now played at such a high standard for such a long time that he does the easy things well so often it looks automatic. He has said today will be his last game and he deserves to leave football on the biggest club stage of all.
Fabio (Right back) Age: 20 Champions League apps: 6. Goals: 0. Assists: 0. Yellow cards: 1. Red Cards: 0
I haven’t seen much of him, but I’ve heard that he’s a little bit less attacking than his twin brother Rafael which might make him less exciting to watch but is surely the right choice when up against such a relentlessly attacking side as Barcelona. Sir Alex has been playing him regularly in the final weeks of the season and that’s probably all you need to know.
Nemanja Vidic (Centre-back) Age: 29 Champions League apps: 8. Goals: 0. Assists: 0. Yellow cards: 1. Red Cards: 0.
Like Puyol is for Barcelona, the Manchester United captain is a rock at the back for United. He seems to have respect from his own team and his opponents. He was United's player of the season and could easily have been the Premier League's player of the season. His positioning is excellent and he is so powerful and strong. Some have suggested that he is not as swift as he should be, but he has Ferdinand, Fabio and Evra around him to help out.
Rio Ferdinand Age: 32 Champions League apps: 6. Goals: 0. Assists: 0. Yellow cards: 0. Red Cards: 0.
Fitness has been such a problem with him in recent seasons but when he’s fit, he’s still probably the best centre half in the world. When he's missing United and England both struggle. Not only is he a great defender and superb at interrupting play, he carries with him a confidence that can spread throughout the team. Even though he’s had a tough couple of years you know what to expect from him in a final.
Patrice Evra (Left-back) Age: 30 Champions League apps: 9. Goals: 0. Assists: 0. Yellow cards: 1. Red Cards: 0
Very much a modern full back who loves to get forward and can provide some trouble down the left flank. With Alves being attack-minded too this could prove a pivotal area in the match tonight. Another one who is sometimes caught up in controversy but his contribution to this United side has been enormous over the years.
Antonio Valencia (Right midfield) Age: 25. Champions League apps: 6. Goals: 1. Assists: 1. Yellow cards: 0. Red Cards: 0.
When Cristiano Ronaldo left United many wondered how the void would be filled. It hasn't been, to a large degree because Ronaldo is a complete one-off, but Valencia has done a terrific job down the right and United have continued to dominate English football. Everyone knows about Valencia's pace but I can see he has great tactical awareness too. He has shown his importance since he came back from that horrific injury earlier in the season. He will have a great duel with Puyol.
Michael Carrick (Central midfield) Age: 29 Champions League apps: 10. Goals: 0. Assists: 1. Yellow cards: 0. Red Cards: 0
H was criticised in 2009 for giving the ball away when United lost the final against Barcelona but he has an incredible ability to keep bouncing back. He remains a class act and his ability to keep hold of the ball will be crucial. Possession will be so important at Wembley because Barcelona are the experts, but Carrick should help United get some control of the ball. He is a bit of an unsung hero really, people forget how much he has done and how much he has won now.
Ryan Giggs (Central midfield) Age: 37 Champions League apps: 7. Goals: 1. Assists: 4. Yellow cards: 1. Red Cards: 0.
Ji-Sung Park (Left midfield) Age: 30 Champions League apps: 8. Goals: 1. Assists: 1. Yellow cards: 0. Red Cards: 0.
Another who is a bit of an unsung hero during the domestic season but always seems to get picked for the big games - and always delivers. He brings the same kind of work-rate as Valencia, and gives United good balance. A hugely popular character.
Wayne Rooney (Striker) Age: 25. Champions League apps: 8. Goals: 3. Assists: 2. Yellow cards: 0. Red Cards: 0.
Javier Hernandez (Striker) Age: 22. Champions League apps: 8. Goals: 4. Assists: 1. Yellow cards: 1. Red Cards: 0
Has started a great partnership with Rooney which has left Dimitar Berbatov, who finished the season has joint top Premier League scorer, on the sidelines for the second half of the season. No one expected the Mexican to have this impact in his first season in England - except I suppose Alex Ferguson. The Little Pea has shown he can score important goals - and he does it from all angles, and in all manner of ways too. What a find.
Tip the wink: Guus Hiddink has admitted he would welcome a return to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea coach Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Jason Burt, in Tegelen, Holland Last Updated: 10:53PM BST 27/05/2011
Guus Hiddink opened the way for a dramatic return to Chelsea when he admitted for the first time that he would welcome an offer to take over as the club’s next manager. “If there was a concrete offer, then I would think about it,” Hiddink said.
That offer is due to be made next Saturday, the day after Turkey, the nation currently coached by Hiddink, play Belgium in a crucial Euro 2012 qualification tie in Brussels.
The expectation is that Hiddink who, as revealed by The Daily Telegraph in April, is Roman Abramovich’s first choice to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, will accept the call to take over. Several times on Friday Hiddink eschewed the opportunity to commit his future to Turkey beyond Friday’s match.
“There’s nothing concrete,” he insisted when asked about Chelsea. “You cannot go into all kind of speculation or rumours because there’s nothing concrete. The moment things are concrete, I’ll go to where I have to be, direct. I have a good relationship with the president [of the Turkish Football Federation]. We talk every week about the future of ‘everything’. But, when things aren’t concrete, why should I go into speculation?”
Matters are also complicated because there are presidential elections for the federation next month and the incumbent Mahmut Özgener, with whom Hiddink has a strong understanding, may not keep his position. “Whatever’s going on, I have a good relationship with the president. He’s a very modern-thinking guy,” he said.
Chelsea sources are hopeful that Hiddink, 64, will sign a two-year contract although the club, and owner Abramovich, are sensitive not to push too hard in case the deal collapses. “Let’s see what happens after next Friday,” one source said on Friday night. “We cannot be sure until he walks through the door.”
It was a view echoed by Hiddink himself. “First, get this game done next Friday, a difficult game, you know. Then we’ll see,” he said. “I tried to plan when I was working in Spain in the mid-Nineties, and thought I’d do one more year and then go into another sports-related business. That was my plan, but now we’re 15 years on. The plan didn’t work.”
Certainly, however, speaking at the Turks’ training camp, close to the Dutch border with Germany, Hiddink did little to dampen down the sense that he was expecting Abramovich to make an offer to return to the club he successfully led on an interim basis after Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked in February 2009.
Crucially, Hiddink also spoke about his appetite for the game — and his desire to remain as a coach or manager rather than become a director of football as has also been mooted. “As long as I feel fresh, as long as young people, players, are not getting annoyed with me, and I’m always asking for signals regarding this — people getting sour or bitter or nasty as an attitude — then I will continue,” he said.
“So far, I feel energetic to go on. Sir Alex Ferguson is a lesson for us. I read that his wife told him to get lost, go, not to sit here in the garden and do the gardening. Get back to work. As long as you have this energy and you’re not repeating yourself, are keeping it fresh and the players and the people you’re dealing with are not turning away, then continue. You should walk away if they do start doing that, but I don’t feel it at this moment.”
Hiddink also dismissed the notion that he did not want to return to club football as a head coach. “When you’re working at a club with a lot of joy, then all of a sudden you say it might be good to be a national team manager because there you’ll be more flexible and you’ll have fewer games,” he explained. “But, when you’ve been working a long time with a national team and still have that energy — like, with this team, I’d like to work every day because I’d have more impact on them and their execution of games — then you like to work every day. I like to work every day. So, we’ll wait.”
Hiddink dismissed the suggestion he could combine working for Chelsea while remaining as Turkey’s coach — as he did last time round when he led Russia.
“No, no,” he said. “That was another situation because Roman Abramovich was also supporting Russian football very strongly, including the national team. He was a very strong supporter living with the Russia team. And when they decided to do what they did, asking me to jump in for that period, we talked. We spoke with the president of the federation in Russia, too, and we agreed because it all matched. But you must only do one job. That was an exceptional situation.”
Hiddink’s advisers have warned that he will not break his €4 million-a-year (net) contract with Turkey, which takes him up until the end of this qualifying campaign. The target is to reach the November play-offs, and Turkey are in contention for second-place in Group A although that would be damaged by defeat to Belgium. However, that would change if he reached an agreement to go.
Asked what he expected the Turkish media reaction would then be, Hiddink said: “It’s always rather up and down — I don’t read much — but I can imagine that they would say it would be better to quit, as they did after we lost in Germany and Azerbaijan.” He then added: “We’ll play this game and then we’ll see.”
Handling the pressure: Wayne Rooney is in relaxed mood ahead of the Champions League final Photo: REUTERS
By Henry Winter Last Updated: 11:03PM BST 27/05/2011
Sir Alex Ferguson is standing on the shoulders of giants and enjoying the view. He began the week voted Manager of the Year by his peers, accepting his award via a tele-link from Old Trafford as distinguished Park Lane dinner guests like Carlo Ancelotti and Fabio Capello applauded.
England conquered again, Ferguson ends the week aiming to be master of Europe.
Heading towards his 70th birthday with fire undimmed, Ferguson draws motivation from many sources, from the sight of his hungry team working out at Wembley last night, to the challenge posed by young managers like Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola, to settling scores with history. And another catalyst.
“I quite like big games,” he smiled, “and there’s none bigger than the European Cup final.” And so tonight he makes the short walk from the Wembley dressing-room out into the world’s gaze. He even advised the 1.3 billion people of China that it would be worth staying up for the 2.45am kick-off, Beijing time. “You won’t need a sleeping tablet,’’ Ferguson told them.
The most built-up finals can be the biggest let-downs but tonight’s meeting between United and Barcelona promises to be a spectacle. “The success both teams have had in the last decade is enormous,’’ continued Ferguson. “It could be the best final of the decade.’’ The decade is yet young and Ferguson was really talking about an era.
Guardiola agreed. “United have had an extraordinary decade and so have Barcelona,’’ he said. “To get to three finals in four years, like United, and Barcelona three in five. It’s extraordinary to have such success over 10 years. Whoever loses will be disappointed, but the achievements of the last 10 years will always be there. We have done well to play so many finals and semi-finals. It is, and always will be, an honour to compete against Sir Alex Ferguson.”
Coaches of the calibre of Guardiola keep Ferguson’s appetite sharp. He loves the challenge, and the challenge emanating from Guardiola is immense.
“He’s changed the way Barcelona played,’’ said Ferguson, whose team were defeated by Guardiola’s in the 2009 final in Rome. “He’s changed the way they press the ball, which has been very impressive in the last year in particular. He’s done fantastically well. He has a presence about him.’’
Ferguson was such an admirer of Guardiola as a clever midfielder for Barcelona that he even tried to buy him in 2001. “I was interested in him,’’ Ferguson confirmed. “I spoke to his agent when he left Barcelona. He decided to go to Italy, to Brescia. Maybe it was a moment lost. He was a fantastic passer.”
Guardiola was in that fabulous team of Johan Cruyff’s that destroyed United 4-0 in the Nou Camp in 1994. The movement and finishing of Hristo Stoichkov and Romario taught United a painful lesson. “We were very naive at that time,’’ Ferguson recalled. “But we progressed from that day.
“It was like at Aberdeen. I remembered us getting hammered 4-0 at Liverpool [in 1980]. We became a different beast altogether and developed into a really good side. We find now the same thing. The progress we made to ’99 was tremendous and since then we have been consistently good in Europe.
“Sometimes we’ve been disappointed not to be in finals, and sometimes let ourselves down, but in general consistency we’ve been really good. The great quality this team has is its unity and we’ve found a good way of playing in Europe.
“We have players who will like the stage. Rooney is more mature than he was in 2009. The experience of Ferdinand and Vidic is vital to us.
“Barcelona have fantastic qualities but ours will show through, too, which could make it a really good game. Nobody can question the attacking players we have on show.
“Antonio Valencia has brought freshness to the team. It has been an incredible season for Chicharito. He has the temperament, speed, movement, all the things necessary against Barcelona.
“I trust the players and know they will do the job right. According to the bookmakers we are the underdogs. Anybody coming into a game of this nature doesn’t care what the betting says or experts say. What matters is the belief factor, tactics. It’s not about revenge for us for 2009 but personal pride we lost that game.’’
Rome motivates him. Defeats always stoke the fire. “I’m lucky. It’s the right club for me, there’s none better. It’s easy to be motivated.” His driven nature has helped him deal with the Ryan Giggs issue this week. In classic Ferguson style, he turned a negative into a positive, seizing upon a loaded question at Tuesday’s press conference at Carrington.
The result was criticism of his attempt to ban a reporter, a raft of unpleasant headlines about him and the fostering of a siege mentality within the United camp. All very familiar on the eve of a major event.
Ferguson even spoke to that other master of mind games, Jose Mourinho, during the week. Ferguson loves these moments – the Scots at Wembley, although he would not be drawn into effusive praise into what he called “a symbol of English football”.
“It’s certainly not Hampden Park,’’ smiled Ferguson, hearing a chuckle in the background. “You liked that Paddy!?” It was Paddy Crerand, a winner with United here in 1968, whose mobile phone then went off, the ringtone being Clive Tyldesley’s commentary of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s European Cup-winning goal in 1999. Ferguson will hope it’s an omen.
Would the Old Trafford or Nou Camp clubs win the battle of the digital age?
The biggest game in world football is about to be unleashed for all our football fans’ pleasure. Manchester United vs Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley, and the excitement is at fever pitch.
United are searching for their fourth European title, while Barca are hunting their third.
There has been no shortage of predictions from pundits and fans alike, but what would happen if the game were decided not on the football pitch, but the internet?
Fast Web Media’s band of boffins have been hard at work tallying every tweet and scoring every status to determine which team are the digital champions.
So who’ll be lifting the famous trophy come Saturday night? Check out our infographic to find out…
Arsenal have signed Barcelona starlets Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin to five-year deals.
The Catalonia club are said to be unhappy about losing more products of their famous La Masia youth academy to the North London club.
Barcelona offered deals to both players but they were turned down as the footballers beleieve their futures are best served in England and under manager Arsene Wenger.
Both players are 16-years-old and have followed a number of Nou Camp youth academy products to the Emirates.
In recent years, the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fran Merida and Ignasi Miquel have all left Catalunya for Colney.
Arsenal agreed a deal for midfielder Toral earlier in the season and followed that up with a swoop for striker Bellerin, who had offers from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Both Toral and Bellerin have signed five-year deals with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger is sure to be delighted to have landed two of Spain’s brightest young prospects.
The deals were completed ironically as Barca’s senior squad trained at Arsenal ahead of their UEFA Champions League final clash with Manchester United this Saturday.
De Gea: Insists decision over his future is on hold
Atletico Madrid keeper David De Gea has denied reports he's agreed to join Manchester United and insists any decision on his future is on hold.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson spoke in glowing terms about the 20-year-old earlier this week and speculation in both England and Spain has suggested De Gea would complete a switch to Old Trafford in the next couple of weeks.
But the Spaniard has refuted claims a deal has already been struck and wants, instead, to focus on the upcoming European Under-21 tournament in Denmark which gets under way on June 11.
De Gea's lawyer released a statement to Spanish news agency EFE which read: "News has appeared in various media outlets today that Atletico Madrid's David De Gea has signed for Manchester United. I hereby notify you that it is not true a deal has been signed." The statement added: "De Gea will not consider the contract extension offer from Atletico or any other offer until June 30 when he has finished his commitments with the Under-21 national team."
Ferguson has earmarked De Gea as the long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar, who will retire after Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona. Speaking after Gary Neville's testimonial on Tuesday, Ferguson told the club's official website: "We've been working on it [De Gea transfer] for quite a while. We identified him quite a while back as one we should go for.
"He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, good composure, presence and an outstanding replacement for Van der Sar.
"We were looking for the same type of qualities as Edwin, because the one great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability.
"With David De Gea, he is very similar that way."
Atletico, who finished this season in seventh spot in the Primera Division, remain keen to tie De Gea down to a new contract with his current one running until 2013.
Published 10:37 26/05/11 By Soucre: MirrorFootball
Winger Sebastian Larsson's five-year spell at Birmingham has come to an end, Press Association Sport understands.
Larsson is out of contract this summer and will be leaving St Andrews on a Bosman free transfer.
The Sweden international has been involved in unsuccessful talks over a new deal during the past 12 months. But a new offer has not been forthcoming, after Blues decided in January to keep Larsson for the remainder of the campaign, and he will be leaving after their relegation from the Barclays Premier League last weekend.
The likes of Sunderland, Newcastle, Stoke and Blackburn are among those to have been linked with the Swede.
The 25-year-old joined Blues from Arsenal in 2006, initially on loan before making a permanent £1 million move.
Larsson submitted a transfer request at the turn of the year and came close to joining Newcastle in January before Birmingham did a U-turn and opted to retain his services.
In total, he made 204 appearances for Birmingham, scoring 19 times, and was a dead-ball specialist as well as one of their most consistent performers.
Alexander Hleb, David Bentley, Obafemi Martins and Matt Derbyshire have already left Blues at the end of their loan spells.
Dwight Yorke believes Ryan Giggs will put the trauma of the past week behind him when he lines up for Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday night. The flying winger has found himself at the centre of a media storm after it was revealed he had an affair with former Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas.
But Yorke, a former Old Trafford team-mate of Giggs, insists the recent furore won’t affect his performance against Barcelona.
He told talkSPORT: “Giggs will have seen it with past and present players. It’s one of those things that happens, but I don’t think it will affect him. If anything it will inspire him.
“Knowing Giggsy as I do, this is the sort of thing that will spur him on to show people what he’s all about. “Not that he has to justify himself or prove himself to anyone. What he’s done in the game speaks volumes and he still has a burning desire inside him. “He will want to contribute [at Wembley], which is what he’s been doing throughout the season for his team.”
25 senarai pemain yang dikaitkan dengan perpindahan dari kelab asal dan mungkin menjadi aset kepada kelab lain.
No. 25: Shay Given, Man City
Tidak pernah turun walaupun seminit pada musim ini. Man City sedia menjual beliau kepada mana-mana kelab yang berminat untuk mendapatkan khidmat beliau.
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal
No. 24: Fernando Gago, Real Madrid
Pemain ini kerap kali menjadi pemanas bangku simpanan, mungkin disebabkan dengan limpahan pemain bintang menyebabkan beliau tidak dapat menunjukkan kemampuan sebenar.
Kelab yang sesuai: Aston Villa, Newcastle & Tottenham
No. 23: Kevin Gameiro, Lorient
Pemain yang berasal dari Perancis ini sangat cemerlang di liga tempatan Perancis dan mampu untuk menempatkan diri dalam kesebelasan utama Perancis.
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal
No. 22: Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Hamburg
Pemain veteran yang cukup berpengalaman ini masih berbisa.
Kelab yang sesuai: Tottenham, Newcastle & Blackburn Rovers
No. 21: Stephen Ireland, Aston Villa
Di gelarkan sebagai pembawa masalah akan tetapi, pemain yang baru berusia 24 tahun ini masih banyak peluang untuk memulihkan kembali kareer beliau sebagai pemain yang hebat.
Kelab yang sesuai: Newcastle, Everton & Fulham
No. 20: Giuseppe Rossi, Villarreal
Pemain kebangsaan Itali ini menjaringkan banyak gol di Liga Sepanyol dan sudah bersedia untuk beralih angin mencari cabaran baru.
Kelab yang sesuai: Tottenham & Man City
No. 19: Jose Enrique, Newcastle United
Pemain berasal dari Sepanyol ini dikatakan bersedia meninggalkan St. James Park dan dianggap sebagai pemain terbaik di Liga Perdana Inggeris dalam posisi beliau.
Walaupun sudah menjaringkan 22 gol untuk kelab pertengahan Liga German, beliau masih kurang mendapat perhatian dari kelab-kelab besar.
Kelab yang sesuai: Aston Villa, Everton & Arsenal
No. 17: Niko Kranjcar, Tottenham
Bosan menunggu untuk bermain dalam kesebelasan utama, pemain tengah sebagai perancang ini sedia berpindah ke kelab lain.
Kelab yang sesuai: Liverpool, Man City & Aston Villa
No. 16: Gary Cahill, Bolton
Pemain pertahanan tengah Bolton ini sangat konsisten pada musim ini dan layak berada di dalam mana-mana kesebelasan utama 6 kelab atasan Liga Perdana Inggeris.
Kelab yang sesuai: Liverpool, Arsenal & Tottenham
No. 15: Christopher Samba, Blackburn Rovers
Bersedia meninggalkan Ewood Park.
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal & Tottenham
No. 14: Jan Vertonghen, Ajax
Pemain kelahiran Belgium ini sering mengimpikan untuk bermain dalam Liga Perdana Inggeris dan mungkin impian beliau menjadi realiti pada musim panas kali ini.
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal
No. 13: Neymar, Santos
Pemain Brazil ini mendapat perhatian dari beberapa kelab gergasi dunia sejak penampilan cemerlang beliau dengan Brazil. Beliau juga dikatakan berminat untuk berhijrah ke kelab Eropah.
Kelab yang sesuai: Chelsea & Man Utd
No. 12: David de Gea, Atletico Madrid
Penjaga gol muda ini menjadi rebutan gergasi kelab bolasepak dunia.
Kelab yang sesuai: Man Utd, Arsenal & Tottenham
No. 11: Mamadou Sakho, PSG
Pemain Perancis ini sudah lama dikaitkan dengan perpindahan ke kelab Inggeris. Kemungkinan besar musim perpindahan kali ini beliau akan berhijrah. Kepada peminat game FOOTBALL MANAGER, pemain ini pasti akan dibeli! Haha..
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal & Newcastle
No. 10: Alexis Sanchez, Udinese
Pemain Chile ini menjadi rebutan kelab gergasi Liga Perdana Inggeris dan dijangkakan akan mengikat kontrak bersama kelab inggeris pada musim perpindahan nanti.
Kelab yang sesuai: Man Utd, Chelsea & Man City
No. 9: Ashley Young, Aston Villa
Pemain England ini ingin bermain dalam kejuaraan liga-liga eropah pada tahun depan.
Kelab yang sesuai: Man Utd, Chelsea & Liverpool
No. 8: Fabio Coentrao, Benfica
Merupakan salah seorang pemain sayap kiri terbaik di eropah pada masa kini.
Kelab yang sesuai: Liverpool & Man Utd
No. 7: Scott Parker, West Ham
Merupakan seorang pemain yang rajin dan ketua yang baik untuk kelabnya iaitu West Ham.
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal, Tottenham & Newcastle
No. 6: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
Ketajaman beliau sebagai penyerang dapat dibuktikan dengan 24 jaringan gol untuk kelabnya Real Madrid.
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal, Man Utd & Chelsea
No. 5: Fernando Llorente, Athletic Bilbao
Dah tiba masanya untuk beliau berpindah ke kelab besar.
Kelab yang sesuai: Tottenham
No. 4: Javier Pastore, Palermo
Pemain berbakat kelahiran Argentina ini bersedia meninggalkan kelabnya.
Kelab yang sesuai: Man Utd & Chelsea
No. 3: Charlie Adam, Blackpool
Pemain kebangsaan Scotland ini telah menunjukkan persembahan terbaik beliau bersama Blackpool walaupun kelab tersebut sedang bergelut dalam zon penyingkiran. Kalau kelab beliau sekarang jatuh ke liga bawahan sekalipun, beliau pasti bermain di Liga Perdana. Definitely!
Kelab yang sesuai: Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcaslte & Aston Villa
No. 2: Didier Drogba, Chelsea
Dengan kehadiran pemain termahal liga perdana iaitu Fernando Torres, pemain berusia 33 tahun ini mungkin di ketepikan oleh Chelsea musim depan.
Kelab yang sesuai: Tottenham, Arsenal
No. 1: Eden Hazard, Lille
Pemain muda berbakat ini jatuh di tempat pertama senarai 25 pemain yang disenarai jual musim panas ini. Bakat beliau kini menjadi idaman setiap pengurus kelab bagi mendapatkan tandatangan beliau di musim perpindahan nanti.
Kelab yang sesuai: Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool & Tottenham
PETALING JAYA: Local football fans of the English Premier League (EPL) are in for a fantastic treat in July!
Three of the Big Four of the EPL – Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – will be in town for a 10-day EPL Festival. However, the exact dates have yet to be confirmed.
The three teams will take on the national side on three different dates in July.
Football fans can look forward to seeing the likes of Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and David Luiz (Chelsea); Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie (Arsenal); and Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez (Liverpool) in action.
Big guns: Three of the main stars from the English Premier League (from left) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) will be in the country for the 10-day EPL Festival in July. Manchester United, who make up the Big Four, enjoyed two hugely successful visits here in 2001 and 2009.
This will be the first time that three top English clubs will be in town since the inaugural FAPL Asia Cup in 2003. Then, the teams who came were Birmingham, Newcastle and Chelsea.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay had announced last year that they would be in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok in July for their Chelsea Asia Tour 2011.
Chelsea’s Asia Tour programme in Kuala Lumpur would include a friendly game against the national team at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, an open training session for the fans and community coaching programmes.
KUALA LUMPUR, (D5) - Exciting news for football fans in Malaysia! Chelsea will take on Malaysia's best footballers in July and tickets are being sold from May 20 onwards.
In promotion of the Blues' trip here, selected adidas outlets nationwide will chip in a free commemorative Chelsea Football Club training pass with every ticket purchased from May 20-29.
Ticket prices range from RM 58, RM68, to RM108. A limited VIP ticket priced at RM388 will be available as well.
Organised by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Malaysia XI vs Chelsea FC match will be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on July 21, 2011 at 8.45pm.
And ProEvents CEO Julian Kam, is expecting a huge turnout from fans in the South East Asia region.
"In 2008, we had 55,000 football fans come and watch an excellent and exciting game of football.
"We expect more to come for this year's match, especially from neighbouring countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Vietenam, Thailand, and Singapore," said Julian.
Apart from the match, other activities involving the Premier League team will be included such as an autograph session, soocer clinics, charitable events and a meeting with the official Chelsea Supporters Club.
FAM secretary general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad was delighted to have Chelsea play Malaysia's best.
"This is a great opportunity for football fans to come and watch a top notch English Premier League team in action.
"Fans in Malaysia should not miss this golden opportunity," said Azzudddin.
Fans can purchase tickets at selected addidas outlets from May 20 onwards, and from Ticketpro outlets nationwide beginning May 30, or call Ticketpro's hotline at 03-7880 7999, or book online via their website at www.ticketpro.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: English Premier League champions Chelsea have listed Malaysia in their Asia Tour 2011 itinerary and also for pre-season training, it was announced today.
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Disclosing the plan in a media briefing on Chelsea's Asia Tour 2011 here today, Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said the club was planning to be in Malaysia for a week for a training stint prior to a friendly match in Kuala Lumpur.
"As a centre for pre-season training as well, our manager Carlo Ancelotti will require first class facilities and we know Malaysia will provide that too," he said.
Gourlay said Chelsea were confident of Malaysians interest in the club and were looking forward to getting closer to the their fans in the country. "A huge crowd came to our game during our last Asia Tour two years ago and with next summer's match taking place in the 85,000 capacity National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, this is the chance for many fans here to came watch us again," he said.
During the 2008 Asia Tour, Chelsea played a pre-season friendly match against Malaysia in front of 55,000 fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil and won it 2-0, with the goals scored by Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole.
ProEvents International, a leading football marketing and management consultancy in Asia, has once again been appointed as the sole and exclusive tour promoter for the Chelsea Asia Tour 2011.
ProEvents International chief executive officer Julian Kam said a comprehensive programme would be drawn up to welcome Chelsea to Kuala Lumpur, together with match details relating to ticket pricing, venue and timing.
"We will announce them in the near future," he said.
Apart from Malaysia, Chelsea Asia Tour 2011 will among others include Thailand.-- BERNAMA
SOURCE: Telegraph Photo: AFP By Mark Ogden Last Updated: 10:37PM BST 18/05/2011
Take a bow: Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is in a fighting mood as he takes his entertaining side to Manchester United with a chance to enjoy a Premier League party
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has made the astonishing claim that the Premier League would be “relieved” to see his club relegated.
He also said he was insulted by suggestions the only way his side could beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday was if the champions fielded a weakened team.
Holloway, who bemoaned the “mad” and “surreal” world of top-flight football during an explosive press conference on Wednesday, remains angered by the Premier League’s decision to fine Blackpool £25,000 after he fielded an under-strength team at Aston Villa last November.
But with Blackpool facing United with their Premier League future hanging by a thread, Holloway claims the game’s authorities will shed no tears should the Lancashire club be relegated.
“They will be relieved if we lose and get relegated.” Holloway said. “Then I am not badgering all these people who don’t do their jobs very well. They will be relieved because I won’t then be sat here saying what I am saying.
“Already, our division is saying we can’t beat Manchester United. It does us a massive disrespect. They think we can only beat United if they are weak. What a load of baloney. Unfortunately, that is what we are dealing with.
“I am glad I don’t go to work thinking that, otherwise I would never have got promoted last year. That attitude offends me. I take it as a personal insult that, if we beat United, they might get fined because we are supposed to be crap. I don’t understand. Aren’t we capable of winning?”
As he prepares to face the biggest, most daunting challenge of his managerial career, it was fitting that Holloway arrived to discuss Blackpool’s fate having seemingly dressed himself as Rocky Balboa.
Wearing a body-warmer, jogging bottoms and hooded top, he appeared ready for a fight on Blackpool’s behalf. But he goes into Sunday’s clash with United, where Blackpool could be relegated with a victory or survive with a defeat, in the role as the undisputed people’s champion.
“Someone in the gym came up to me last night and he said, ‘Fantastic, thanks for entertaining us’.” Holloway said. “It takes something to speak to someone on the treadmill beside you when you’re running and can hardly breathe to say, ‘Well done!’ At first I didn’t get it, but that’s great.
“We live in the world of money and we are the club with the least in the history of it, yet we have played some fantastic football and have the chance to stay up.
“The disappointment if we go down would be massive. It’s too hard and too emotional to put into words.”
Having taken six points off Liverpool, secured five away victories and given United the fright of their life when leading 2-0 before falling to a 3-2 defeat against the champions at Bloomfield Road in January, Blackpool have won many admirers.
Yet there have been too many seven-goal thrillers in tangerine this season. Too many points lost by a failure to grind out results and, in Holloway’s words, “shut up shop”.
“My contingency plan is exactly the same as it has been for the last two years,” Holloway said. “We’re going to try to outscore this lot in front of us and when we’ve got one goal, let’s go and get another one because we are no good at shutting up shop.
“Our shop never closes. It could be those late-night openings which cost us our position because we’ve conceded a few late goals, haven’t we?
“Blackburn away, 2-0 up, how important was that one? How important are the two points which got away at Tottenham? But for us to go Old Trafford on Sunday is fitting. I think we deserve it and I think we deserve a crack at trying to do the impossible.
“I wouldn’t pick any other game or team than United. I want this one because I believe it’s set up for us to have a tremendous day.
“Imagine what it might mean if we are celebrating at Manchester United. I imagine them having a party and us having a party with them. It would be in keeping with our journey so far to do it there because, realistically, our journey is a bit special.”
Holloway believes the build-up to Blackpool’s date with destiny has been marred by negativity, however.
A meeting of the club’s first-team squad was called on Tuesday to inform the players who would be retained and which unlucky ones would be released this summer. Seven players are to be released, including two, who Holloway would not name publicly, who could be involved at Old Trafford.
And despite taking Blackpool to the brink of survival against all the odds, Holloway admits he has been angered by his chairman, Karl Oyston, being asked whether his manager’s position would be safe should the club be relegated.
“That question gets to me.” Holloway said. “It’s brilliant, isn’t it? I’m watching TV with questions being asked about my future, and some bloke patted me on the back and said: ‘Well done, you’ve still got a job’.
"The question was asked because West Ham sacked their manager. But we’re not West Ham. We have got 39 points with a budget of £10 million, so I find it quite hilarious to be honest.
“The chairman has backed me right from the time of my interview two years ago, and that’s how it should be. I never undermine my chairman, and he never undermines me.
“This whole industry is unreal, but I don’t know any other, so I’m having a go at it. This week, of all weeks, I’ve had to tell seven of my players that we will be releasing them.
“All the contract options, which we do so cleverly, have had to be taken up as if we were still in the Championship, and because the rules state players have to be told by the third Thursday in May, we had to tell them this week.
“We contacted the league and tried to get it pushed back a week, but were told there’s no leeway on that, which is just great. It’s been hideous.
“So amongst all this wonderful euphoria from playing so well and giving ourselves a chance by beating Bolton last Saturday, we have had to tell certain players they no longer have a contract or that we’ve taken up options that will see their wages cut. So now we’ll see whether I’m any good as a motivator this weekend!”
But despite United’s 13-month unbeaten record at Old Trafford, Holloway is not giving up hope. “We know we can beat them because of what happened here [in January], but as Fairground Attraction sung: ‘It’s got to be perfect!’ We could win and go down, or lose and stay up, so it promises to be a crazy day. Quite surreal.”
Here we have the New Wolverhampton Wanderer's Home football kit for the 2011/12 season.
Wolves are fighting relegation from the English Premier League but know that if they can win their final game of the season they will remain in the EPL for another season. If Wolves don't win they will be relying on other results and could see them relegated to the NPower Championship, England's second tier of professional football.
The new Wolves football kit made by Burrda uses the clubs traditional colours of orange and black.
Wolves home jersey will be orange but feature a thin black line that runs across the shirt and down both sleeves. The Burrda logo is placed on the right breast with the badge being placed on the left.
Wolverhampton retain the services of current shirt sponsors, betting company Sporting Bet. The kit will be finished off with black shorts and orange socks.
