West Indies legspinner Devendra Bishoo has been sent for scans on his left shoulder after falling and injuring his rotator cuff during a practice session on the first morning of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.Bishoo was not picked for the first Test against Australia in Hobart as left-armer Jomel Warrican was preferred, and again he was not named in the XI at the MCG, where debutant allrounder Carlos Brathwaite was named to replace the injured Shannon Gabriel.Bishoo collected 6 for 80 against Australia in the Dominica Test earlier this year but after a disappointing tour of Sri Lanka he was overlooked for the Hobart Test.He picked up 1 for 60 from 14.2 overs in the warm-up game against an under-strength Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane at the start of this tour, and then claimed 2 for 60 against a Victorian XI in Geelong last weekend.
Gazi Group Cricketers took a four-point lead at the top of the Dhaka Premier League points table after their ten-run win over Brothers Union at the BKSP-3 Ground in Savar. Abu Hider’s four-wicket haul made the difference for Gazi Group at the end of a tense battle.Set 237 to beat the in-form team of the competition, Alok Kapali and Manvinder Bisla added 78 runs for the fourth wicket after Brothers Union lost three early wickets. When Manvinder fell in the 39th over, having added 60 runs for the sixth wicket with Dhiman Ghosh, Gazi Group took charge of the game.Even though Myshukur Rahaman tried to inspire Brothers Union’s lower-order to an end-innings fightback with a run-a-ball 38, Hider’s late strikes, culminating in figures of 4 for 52, ensured the opposition was bowled out for 226 in 48.5 overs. Mahedi Hasan and Shahidul Islam finished with two wickets each.Earlier, Gazi Group’s innings was headlined by a 97-ball 93 from wicketkeeper Anamul Haque, who strung a third-wicket 89-run stand with Suhrawadi Shuvo (41) and a 59-run fifth-wicket partnership with captain Nadif Chowdhury (33), before Mohammad Saddam and Kapali scalped three wickets apiece to skittle Gazi Group for 236 in 48.4 overs.Partex Sporting Club registered their first win this season after handing Kalabagan Krira Chakra a 62-run drubbing at the KSOA Stadium in Fatullah.Having been put in to bat, Partex posted 278 for 5 in 50 overs, piloted by a 52-run stand between Irfan Sukkur (58) and Sajjad Hossain (46) for the third wicket. Sukkur and and Sazzadul Haque (53) then put on 95 runs for the fourth wicket. Jubair Ahmed (16) and Rajibul Islam (30) took Partex past 250 runs, adding 42 unbroken runs for the sixth wicket in the last 4.4 overs.Samad returned the best figures for Kalabagan, finishing with 3 for 50 from his ten overs.In reply, despite having four experienced batsmen, Kalabagan failed to play out their full quota of 50 overs, folding for 216 in 46.1 overs. Hamilton Masakadza top-scored with 45 while openers Mehrab Hossain jnr and Mohammad Ashraful struggled to make any impact, registering scores of 11 and 12 respectively. Kalabagan’s woes were compounded by Imran Ali, who bagged a five-wicket haul in only his second List-A game. Among his victims were Masakadza and captain Tushar Imran, who fell for a four-ball duck.Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity moved to eighth position on the points table after Robiul Islam Robi struck a 126-ball 103 to set up a 20-run victory over fifth-placed Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the BKSP-4 Ground.Having elected to bat, Khelaghar opener Robi clobbered ten fours and two sixes enroute to his second List-A century this season. He added 83 for the first wicket with Salahuddin Pappu (46) before adding 126 for the third wicket with Amit Majumder, who struck 58 off 74 balls. Abdur Razzak picked up his second five-for of the season, as Khelaghar posted 266 for 8 in 50 overs.Dhanmondi Club were reduced to 22 for 3 in the fourth over but Prashant Chopra (44) and Rajin Saleh (76) added 53 for the fourth wicket to resuscitate the chase. Rajin and the in-form Ziaur Rahman (75) then led Dhanmond’s rally with an emphatic 108-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, Ziaur’s dismissal in the 35th over triggered a lower-order collapse as Dhanmondi lost their last five wickets for 51 runs before being bowled out for 246 in 47.2 overs. Abdur retired hurt with a leg injury after he fell badly while putting in a dive to get back in the crease. Tanvir Islam scalped four wickets to help Khelaghar register their third win of the tournament.
West Indies cricket is facing the prospect of a player strike on the eve of the World Twenty20 after the 15-man squad appeared collectively to reject the contracts on offer from the WICB.Darren Sammy, captain of the West Indies T20 side, has written to the board stating the players “can’t accept” what they perceive as “huge financial reductions” in the terms compared to previous global tournaments which, he says, amounts to an 80% cut.Sammy also stated that 14 of the 15-man squad are not part of WIPA (the West Indies Players’ Association) and therefore had not given the organisation the authority to negotiate on their behalf.
Sammy’s letter in full
To all concerned at WICB
I am sending this as captain of the West Indies T20 side and as a collective representative of the 15 man squad selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
We have collectively discussed the remuneration on offer to participate in the T20 World Cup. Considering that 14 out of the 15 man squad are not part of WIPA – and hence have not given authorisation to WIPA to negotiate on our behalf – and a large number do not receive any significant remuneration from WICB at all, we want the opportunity to negotiate fairly the financial terms within the contract.
The 2015 World Cup took place with the WI squad remunerated under the terms and conditions that had been in place for the World Cups previous – ie that 25% of income received by the WICB for participating in the tournament was distributed to the squad.
We do not understand – nor accept – just 1 year later being offered contracts to participate in a major ICC World Cup that show such huge financial reductions.
We want to represent the West Indies but the financials on offer we can’t accept.
Obviously I am not privy to exact numbers paid to the WICB from the ICC, but I understand USD $8m will be paid to the Board.
Traditionally 25% has been paid to the squad. That would equate to USD $2m / 15 therefore approximately USD $133,000 per player.
Worse case scenario the squad would earn $414,000 collectively under the terms of the contract offered by WICB to participate in the T20 World Cup 2016. That is just over 5%. A staggering difference, a near 80% reduction.
We want to propose we participate in the T20 World Cup 2016 under the same terms we have represented the West Indies in previous tournaments.
Please can you address this urgently. The T20 World Cup is just a matter of weeks away.
Darren Sammy
Though Sammy himself stopped short of threatening to withdraw from the tournament, ESPNcricinfo understands that other squad members have not ruled out the possibility. He made it clear that the players would not accept the current offer and called upon the board to “address this urgently”.”We want to represent the West Indies but the financials on offer we can’t accept,” Sammy wrote.”Obviously I am not privy to exact numbers paid to the WICB from the ICC, but I understand USD $8m will be paid to the Board.”Traditionally 25% has been paid to the squad. That would equate to USD $2m / 15 therefore approximately USD $133,000 per player.”Worse case scenario the squad would earn $414,000 collectively under the terms of the contract offered by WICB to participate in the T20 World Cup 2016. That is just over 5%. A staggering difference, a near 80% reduction.”We want to propose we participate in the T20 World Cup 2016 under the same terms we have represented the West Indies in previous tournaments.”Please can you address this urgently. The T20 World Cup is just a matter of weeks away.”But the premise of Sammy’s argument was quickly dismissed by Michael Muirhead, the CEO of the WICB. He insisted that the sums mentioned in Sammy’s statement were “totally incorrect” and reminded the team that WIPA remains the “recognised collective bargaining representative of West Indies cricketers and therefore negotiates the remuneration between WICB and each West Indian player, whether such player is or is not a member of WIPA.””We are not sure where you obtained this information, but assure you it is totally incorrect,” Muirhead stated in connection with the $8m figure.”As a result of the ICC revamp which was agreed on 8 February 2014, the ICC has changed the manner in which distributions to Full Members in relation to ICC events are paid – starting from the ICC WT20 2016. These payments are now spread out and distributed over an eight-year cycle, rather than being paid out in a lump sum and attributed to any one event.”It is therefore not possible to identify a particular sum which will be paid to the WICB by the ICC in respect of the WT20 2016.”While it is true that WICB has previously calculated compensation to the ICC event squad members as a percentage of the ICC distribution received in relation to the particular event; because of the reason outlined above, it is not possible to calculate a percentage to be paid to the Squad, as the ICC distribution is no longer being made in the traditional manner.”The WICB, in recognition of this, and in an effort at fairness and transparency, allocates 25% of WICB revenues estimated over a four-year period – including ICC distributions – to players, through a guaranteed minimum revenue pool, out of which player payments are made.”Anything in excess of this minimum over the relevant four-year cycle, will be divided solely among the international players, as agreed with WIPA.”The remuneration to the players for the WT20 comprises an agreed match fee of three times the usual fee, plus 50% of the net proceeds of any sponsorship for the event, and 80% of any prize money earned by the team. Note that for this tournament, the prize money has increased substantially from the previous WT20, moving from a gross total of US$3million to US$5.6million, of which the winner will receive US$1.6million.”Muirhead signed off his reply by making it quite clear the WICB was not prepared to compromise.”We are unable to move the deadline of 2pm ECT on 14 February 2016 for receipt of the signed player contracts for the WT20 2016.”West Indies won the 2012 version of the tournament and recently returned to the top of the ICC T20 rankings. They are currently rated as the world’s second-best international T20 side.
The colour of the ball, sightscreen and clothing all changed and,half-way through, so did the weather. The West Indies’ cricket didn’tand they were beaten by Australia just as badly in the first match ofthe triangular Carlton Series of One-Day Internationals at theMelbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) last night as they were in the fiveTests earlier.In heat that touched 39 degrees Celsius before a cool change droppedit 10 degrees in an hour, they bowled inconsistently, batted withoutpurpose, fielded shoddily and missed five catches. The World Cupchampions were virtually flawless in completing victory by 74 runs.The margin was even wider than it appeared. Batting under lights afterthe thermometer dipped, the West Indies were basically out ofcontention when Brian Lara was third out in the 19th over for 28. Theywere then 57 for three and never threatened to overhaul Australia’s267 for six after that.Marlon Samuels batted with the poise he showed in his three Tests totopscore with 57 from 96 balls. But, aged 19 and in his second One-DayInternational, his mission was simply damage limitation.He arrived in the sixth over after openers Wavell Hinds, caught in thegully, and Sherwin Campbell, taken at third man, had both beendespatched with only nine scored. Lara was dismissed by medium-pacerIan Harvey just when a stand with Samuels seemed to be developing,wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist snaring his edge as he did so often inthe Test series. Ricardo Powell lasted 27 precarious balls for 12before lobbing a catch to mid-on from off-spinner Andrew Symonds and,for the next 14.2 overs, Samuels and Ridley Jacobs batted aimlessly inadding 49.Once local favourite, Shane Warne, ended his spell of 10 overs in hisfirst international of the season, the crowd of over 50 000 took toamusing itself with Mexican waves and the antics of three pitchinvaders as the cricket became meaningless.Symmonds briefly drew their attention back to the middle by dismissingJacobs, Samuels and Mahendra Nagamootoo with the first, fourth andfifth balls of the 41st over. Captain Jimmy Adams, demoting himself toNo. 8, and Laurie Williams batted out the overs in an unbrokenpartnership of 54 but it meant nothing to patrons who were streamingout of the MCG long before the last ball was bowled.Australia’s total was based on a second-wicket partnership of 111 in22.2 overs between Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting after Nixon McClean’swell-judged, running catch at third man accounted for Adam Gilchristoff Cameron Cuffy in the third over.Waugh hoisted Cuffy for six 10 rows back into the seats in theMember’s Stand and had just passed 50 when he fell to another finecatch. He hoisted Laurie Williams and Hinds, moving in from long-on,ended the stand.The West Indies claimed the valuable wickets of the dangerous MichaelBevan, Ponting and captain Steve Waugh while limiting the scoring to49 between the 31st and 42nd overs. Ponting, let off by Williams on astraightforward catch in the deep when 32, fell to a sensational takeby Powell, sprinting in from deep square-leg and diving forward.Captain Waugh, in his 300th One-Day International, holed out to longoff from Samuels who, along with Nagamootoo, sent down his fullcomplement for ten overs of spin.At 193 for five in the 42nd over, the West Indies had chances to limitAustralia to under 250. They blew them as Powell and Williams bothdropped Symmonds, who added 74 off 52 balls with Martyn.Williams fell back so heavily on his head in muffing his chance atpoint, he had to leave the field for attention, adding injury toinsult. The last ten overs yielded 83, the last two brought 26, thelast, from McLean, 15. It carried Australia to a total that requiredbetter batting than the West Indies have shown all season and theynever looked like getting close.Australia play the third team in the tournament, Zimbabwe, at theGabba in Brisbane tomorrow and meet the West Indies again thefollowing day at the same venue.
Nottinghamshire wrapped up a seven-wicket win against Lancashire at Trent Bridge as Adam Voges and Mark Wagh steadied them following an early wobble against Sajid Mahmood in his first over of the day. Mahmood trapped Paul Franks lbw with a marginal decision then demolished Matthew Wood’s stumps to give Lancashire a sniff at 36 for 3. But Voges shut the door on them with 14 boundaries in his 60-ball innings alongside the composed Wagh. The 18-point victory consolidates Nottinghamshire’s position at the top of the table, an unlikely situation given the pre-season talk of them being likely relegation candidates. Stuart Law, the Lancashire captain, wasn’t impressed with the pitch which saw 20 wickets fall on the opening day. “I wouldn’t mind playing on a wicket that doesn’t go up and down and round corners on day one,” he told “It sort of makes batting quite difficult, we probably didn’t bat well enough but things lead to our demise.”Hampshire have given themselves a chance of victory against Surrey at The Rose Bowl despite being a bowler down due to Chris Tremlett suffered from back spasms. He was unable to bat as Hampshire added a 23 more runs to trail by 51 on first innings, but the remaining bowlers made swift inroads to leave Surrey 202 ahead with three wickets in hand. Dimitri Mascarenhas took two, including Mark Ramprakash for 9, before Sean Ervine claimed three middle-order scalps. Mark Butcher played round a straight ball while Usman Afzaal was well caught by Tim Burrows, the second-team keeper standing in for the injured Nic Pothas. However, from 74 for 7 Surrey were given a lifeline as Jimmy Ormond and Matt Nicholson added 76 to frustrate Hampshire’s ambitions of an early run chase.Sussex, the reigning champions, were forced to follow on at Taunton, and an early loss in their second innings left them facing a major task to avoid defeat against Somerset. Michael Yardy made 57 and Chris Adams scored 52 as Sussex struggled to 203 – they trailed by 354 on the first innings – but neither of their half-centuries was overly convincing. Adams was dropped three times and Yardy once on a rain-affected third day. They had lost Chris Nash fourth ball late on the second day but recovered to reach 100 for 1, before slumping to lose their next four for 18 runs. Ben Phillips (3 for 34) did for the top order, including Adams who was finally snared at square leg, and Peter Trego grabbed the last three wickets to finish with 3 for 49. Remarkably Sussex’s second effort started in even worse fashion than their first, with Nash bagging a pair after he was lbw to Charl Willoughby from the first delivery. Yardy finished unbeaten on 14 and Carl Hopkinson had 16 as Sussex reached 36 for 1, but there is plenty of work ahead of them on the final day.Click here for John Ward’s report of Durham‘s victory over Yorkshire inside three days at Chester-le-Street.
Second Division
Bottom-of-the-table Gloucestershire took control on the third day at New Road, where their under-strength attack troubled Worcestershire, who struggled to 189 for 9, still trailing by 255. Things started badly for the hosts when Daryl Mitchell retired hurt at the end of the fourth over after copping a bad bruise to the left elbow thanks to a rising ball from Will Rudge. That sparked a mini-collapse as Worcestershire wobbled to 52 for 3, despite facing a Gloucestershire line-up without Jon Lewis and Steve Kirby. Graeme Hick, who was returning from an elbow operation, did his bit to keep the score ticking over on the two-paced pitch with 60 from 62 balls. He dispatched a long-hop from the erratic Rudge over the boundary and managed another six off Anthony Ireland before falling to the medium pace of Alex Gidman, who had him caught at short midwicket. Steven Davies (32) resisted for a while but the lower order struggled and Rudge improved his ugly analysis with a pair of late wickets to finish with 3 for 67 from 12 overs. At 184 for 9 the follow-on was looming when Mitchell returned, but bad light ensured he would have a night’s rest before his sore elbow was truly tested.Charl Langeveldt sparked a Derbyshire fightback against Glamorgan with a spell of 5 for 22 in 6.5 overs on a day when only 30 overs were possible at Sophia Gardens. Langeveldt’s burst with the second new ball reduced Glamorgan from 345 for 4 to 384 all out. Langeveldt began by beating Mark Wallace’s defences and quickly worked his way through the tail. David Hemp had only added one to his overnight 103 before falling to Nayan Doshi, but rain arrived early in the afternoon session and didn’t relent.4th dayOnly 30 minutes play was possible on the final day at Grace Road, but it gave Leicestershire the chance to save themselves from a three-point over-rate penalty and for Northamptonshire to earn a third batting point. Claude Henderson and Jacques du Toit raced through 14.2 overs in the half hour of play as David Sales and Rob White took their stand to 145.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe likes Kepa Arrizabalaga ‘a lot’ and could sanction a move when the transfer window opens, according to Spanish sources (via Sport Witness).
The lowdown
Arrizabalaga became the most expensive goalkeeper in history of football when he moved from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in a £71million deal four years ago (via BBC Sport).
After playing 36 Premier League games in his first season at the club and 33 in his second, he lost the no. 1 spot to Edouard Mendy in 2020 (via Transfermarkt). He’s made 15 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side this season, 11 of which have come in cup competitions.
The Spaniard was the penalty shoot-out hero in August’s UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal but missed the decisive spot-kick in February’s League Cup final against Liverpool.
Arrizabalaga’s Transfermarkt value has fallen from a high of £54million in the summer of 2019 to just £9million, an 83% decrease. His £155,000-per-week contract does, however, have another three years to run.
The latest
The report (via SW) states that Howe is personally a big fan of Arrizabalaga and has gained fresh confidence about a potential move since Chelsea were put up for sale.
Newcastle very much ‘have their eye’ on the 27-year-old ahead of the summer.
The verdict
Howe seems determined to strengthen the goalkeeper position this summer.
In addition to Arrizabalaga, Newcastle have been linked with two other Premier League ‘keepers in the form of Arsenal’s Bernd Leno and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Newcastle fans may have fond memories of Kepa too – the Chelsea man once made a key mistake at St James’ Park, failing to keep out Isaac Hayden’s 94th-minute header in a 1-0 win in January 2020. BBC Sport’s Alistair Magowan wrote at the time that the ‘keeper ‘could have done more to prevent the winner going in’.
But Howe clearly prefers to focus on how good he can be at his best, and he may even share the view of Chelsea coach Arno Michels that Arrizabalaga is ‘very reliable’ and is able to ‘read the mind’ of a striker.
In other news, read about another goalkeeper link.
Wenger’s pressing matter this summer is not to obtain players in the final third, instead the Frenchman’s main objective should be to strengthen and bolster up his back-line for next season’s campaign.
A number of Arsenal fans will want to see their manager concentrate more on acquiring defenders rather than attacking players this summer. The Arsenal boss is possibly facing the prospect of losing up to four players in this department when the window re-opens in July.
The club already obtain a number of options in their midfield and attack, yet Wenger seems to be deluded in what is transpiring in his team’s back-line. The North London club look set to lose William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Mikael Silvestre and perhaps even Sol Campbell in the transfer market this summer, unquestionably this should be Wenger’s main focus in many fans eyes.
Wenger will not meet Gallas’ extravagant wage demands, whilst Senderos looks set to depart after falling out of favour with the boss in recent years. Silvestre looks to be on his last legs and faces the possibility of being released, and Campbell has not yet signed the deal that has been put on the table by Wenger. If all these players leave the Emirates this summer, then Arsenal will be left one recognizable defender, Thomas Vermaelen.
Wenger has been searching for a defender, and the club are heavily linked with Lorient’s Laurent Koscielny. However, is the 24-year-old French centre-back the right man to shore up the Arsenal defence? Or should Wenger look to acquire a more dominant and established defender during the summer window?
Granted, Arsenal needed to buy a striker (due to a number of injuries sustained this season) and Wenger did this by signing Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux a few weeks ago. Wenger has also been strongly linked with Chelsea’s want-away midfielder Joe Cole. It would be a great attainment if the club can pull it off and the player (Joe Cole) will certainly be welcomed with open arms by a majority (if not all) the Arsenal fans.
However, looking through the team’s statistic this season, Arsenal have had no problem finding the net. In fact, the core problem has been keeping goals out this year. The Gunners managed to score 83 times, both home and away this season, yet they conceded 41 goals in 38 games. It may not look that bad to some of the fans, however, take into consideration that Wenger’s defence conceded more than Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and were even level with fierce rivals Tottenham…a cause for concern?
The manner of which the defence performed in certain matches cried out to many fans that their club need to bulk up this area this summer, whether Wenger does this is up to him. With out a doubt, it’s great to see Wenger obtain creative attacking players, as he is renowned for specialising in this and loves to see the game played in a beautiful manner, but there comes a time that the manager must focus solely on his defence and appears the time has now come Mr Wenger.
Follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TMer4kl1
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
So far this summer there has mainly been news of who is coming out of Chelsea as Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti going out the door, with Deco, Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho possibly following them. But who should Chelsea bring in and where do they need to improve?
Fans should be impressed with manager Carlo Ancelotti, who won a Premier League and FA Cup double in his debut season in English football. Chelsea was deemed by their critics as being too old, not hungry enough and a team who had regressed since the departure of Jose Mourinho.
Now that Roman Abramovich appears to have found a manager he likes the former AC Milan boss has earned the right to be backed in the market, but who should he be looking at to bolster the ranks at Stamford Bridge?
It may sound ridiculous as the team scored 141 goals in all competitions last term but the Blues could really do with a playmaker to boost their creative flair, with David Silva being mooted as the most likely player to fill the role. The Spaniard would prove to be a wise signing as he can play on the left, right, or as the traditional number 10.
However, if you believe what you read in the papers this morning then Silva is Manchester City bound despite his media quotes:
“There is no doubt in my mind that Chelsea would be a great club to play for – and a club where I could fulfil my ambition of league titles and the European Cup.
“The Premier League is still the place to be, no other league in the world has six or seven Champions League quality teams.”
Should Silva end up at Eastlands there is another playmaker catching the eye who judging by articles and comments on BBC 606 the Chelsea fans would love to have at Stamford Bridge, Mesut Özil. The 21-year-old German international has been in great form during this summer’s World Cup and has been the creative force in making a usually efficient Germany side into one that plays with flair and panache. The £20m rated Werder Bremen ace is currently in the last year of his contract and it is likely his club would prefer to cash in on him after the World Cup.
Chelsea may also seek to replace their outgoing veteran Ballack and versatile midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger could be perfect for the role. The 25-year-old started off as a winger (so could fill in on the right, which isn’t as strong as Chelsea’s left flank) but he has since reinvented himself as a central midfielder who can attack or sit deep for both club and country.
Many believe it is the Champions League that Abramovich wants above all else, so the Blues have been linked with the likes of Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Fernando Torres and Kaka to take them onto the next step and win the prize they have come so close to on so many occasions.
Out of the four of them the addition of Torres would do the most to boost the club’s chances against Europe’s elite. However, the player comes with a huge price tag and Liverpool are confident of holding onto the former Atletico Madrid man.
In light of this, if the club are to reward Ancelotti for his efforts and let him make an extravagant transfer then he should be allowed to go for Kaka, a man he knows well (providing it doesn’t mean losing either Frank Lampard or Ashley Cole). The Brazilian has had sorry time at Real Madrid with injuries and lack of form, but under his former boss he could have a revival as you don’t suddenly turn into a bad player overnight, surely?
Who would the Chelsea fans like to see making their way to Stamford Bridge this summer?
Follow me on Twitter: ajwilliams1987
Get the latest Chelsea news on Twitter
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Click image below to see a gallery of the Italian babes at the World Cup:
As with previous tournaments it was left to a Spurs player to bail the country out with a decisive strike; Jermain Defoe dispelled this Heskey and England striking myth, whilst almost certainly guaranteeing a starting place against the Germans. On the home front there hasn’t been much to report, although Harry has once again declared his hopes of snapping up Joe Cole.
This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Tottenham blogs which has included…Why Michael Dawson is the better option for England; Spurs have ensured the PL worm has turned and why Harry should not contemplate deal for the ‘Beast’.
Plus we have taken a look at the best Tottenham stories on the Web this week.
Defoe debunks this England myth
World class striker will go a long way in seeing Tottenham succeed
Michael Dawson is surely the better option…isn’t he?
Have Spurs ensured the PL worm has started to turn?
Liverpool fans should look to Spurs as appearences can be deceiving
Should Harry be contemplating a Brazilian?
Is Tasci deal a luxury Tottenham could do without?
The Top TEN Premier League ‘dirtiest’ players
**
Best of Web
**
An explosion of glory – Dear Mr Levy
Flashback: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
Champions League Qualifying Round – How It All Works for Spurs – Triffic Tottenham
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Who Needs Cole When We Can Upgrade to a Honda? – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
Champions League Fixture Build-Up – Dear Mr Levy
**
Click image below to see a gallery of the SPANISH babes at the World Cup:
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed his interest in signing Sol Campbell on a free transfer.
Campbell, who is out of contract after the conclusion of the short-term deal which took him back to Arsenal in January, has held talks with both the Black Cats and Celtic over his next career move.
Sunderland are on the lookout for experience down the spine of their team after agreeing to sell club captain Lorik Cana to Galatasaray on Thursday.
"I have known Sol Campbell for a lot of years and it was nice to see him," Bruce told the Sunderland Echo.
"We had a catch-up to see what his ideas are and what he is up to.
"It was pretty positive stuff and we will see what happens."
Meanwhile, Bruce has also revealed that a potential move for Schalke and Germany defender Heiko Westermann has not been totally abandoned.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"I've a number of irons in the fire," Bruce continued."The situation with Westermann was complicated because the boy got injured at the end of last season.
"But there is still interest there. We have made a bid but that hasn't come to anything at the moment."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email