Football News Blog http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk Football News Blog Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:33:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Top 10 South Americans in the Premier League http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/main-content/top-10-south-americans-in-the-premier-league/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/main-content/top-10-south-americans-in-the-premier-league/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:33:44 +0000 betfair http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2562 I think it is perhaps fair to say that traditionally the English league doesn’t seem to attract as many South Americans as its Spanish, French and Italian counterparts.  Bizarrely, the Russian and Ukrainian leagues also seem to have higher South American contingents than the Premier League does.  However, there are a couple of players who [...]]]>

I think it is perhaps fair to say that traditionally the English league doesn’t seem to attract as many South Americans as its Spanish, French and Italian counterparts.  Bizarrely, the Russian and Ukrainian leagues also seem to have higher South American contingents than the Premier League does.  However, there are a couple of players who have bucked that particular trend and excelled on English soil so I thought I’d offer a rundown of my top ten South American imports, in no particular order.

Javier Mascherano, Liverpool (Argentina)

Mascherano isn’t having the best of seasons with Liverpool, but he is still a quality player and worth a mention.  The Argentine international is an excellent reader of the game and on his day he is certainly among the best in the world in his position.  His distribution is pretty good, but his key strengths lie in his ability to tackle and hound opponents off the ball.  Macherano is criticised on occasion for perhaps being a bit too aggressive and there is always a reasonable chance he could see red but I couldn’t miss him off the list.

Christian ‘Chucho’ Benítez, Birmingham City (Ecuador)

It was seen as a bit of a gamble when Birmingham boss Alex McLeish splashed out somewhere in the region of £6million for Benitez but he has gone someway to justifying his price tag. Chucho might not have scored too many goals but he is an exciting striker with some neat skills in his locker.

Alex, Chelsea (Brazil)

Alex isn’t always first choice at Stamford Bridge but he is a quality defender and an imposing figure for the opposing strikers.  The Brazilian also has a decent shot on him for a centre-half – and everyone loves it when a defender scores a wonder goal.

Geovanni, Hull City (Brazil)

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson brought the Brazilian to the Premier League back in 2007 but it is at the KC Stadium where he has really made his name.  Although I’m sure City fans still have a special place in their hearts for Geovanni due to his goal in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United in his first few games for the club.  Granted, he is a bit of an enigma in terms of consistency and he has too many indifferent games but when he does pop out some magic it can be very special indeed.

Ricardo Gardner, Bolton (Jamaica)

Fair enough, I know Jamaica isn’t technically a South American nation but its close enough and this is my list so I’m sticking him in.  Gardner has been at Bolton since 1998 after the French World Cup and the Jamaican is a firm favourite with the Reebok faithful.  Gardner has played at left-back, left-wing and central midfield in his time with Bolton and is always willing to run.  Even now as a 31-year-old he covers as much ground, if not more, than the majority of his team-mates.  His scoring record isn’t great but he has spent a lot of his career as a defender and he is always willing to race down the flank and try and create something.

Antonio Valencia, Manchester United (Ecuador)

Valencia is another player with bags of energy and he is really starting to find his way at Old Trafford.  He has a great strike, plenty of pace and the Ecuadorian has forged a decent partnership with Wayne Rooney, often supplying the crosses for Rooney to head home.  A lot has been made of Rooney’s headed goals this season, and Valencia must deserve some credit for his part in the England internationals success.

Heurelho Gomes, Tottenham (Brazil)

When Gomes first made the switch to Spurs he looked like a liability in all honesty but he’s settled into life at White Hart Lane now and become vital for Tottenham.  As a nation Brazil isn’t exactly famed for its keepers but Gomes is a decent all-round goalkeeper and an excellent shot-stopper.

Hugo Rodallega, Wigan (Colombia)

Like former team-mate Valencia I reckon Rodallega is destined for bigger things than Wigan Athletic.  I mean no disrespect to the Latics, they’re one of the better Premier League teams for importing South Americans, but Rodallega is turning into a top-class player and it wouldn’t surprise me if he attracted some attention in the summer.  Like all good Latin American forwards he is capable of the odd wonder goal but Rodallega also has a great work rate and is a vital member of his team.

Maynor Figueroa, Wigan (Honduras)

Another quality South American import from Wigan, Figueroa attracted the interest of Sunderland when former Latics boss Steve Bruce made the switch to Wearside.  Figueroa is an accomplished defender and good at getting forward, and his wonder strike against Stoke earlier in the season will surely go down as one of the goals of the year.

Carlos Tevez, Manchester City (Argentina)

Last but by no means least there is no way I could have left the Argentine star out of this list.  His work rate is outstanding and his goalscoring ability equally as impressive.  I don’t think I need to write much about Tevez – we’ve all seen what he can do plenty of times.

Disagree?  If you’re thinking ‘You’re crazy, what about Wilson Palacios?’ or ‘Are you serious, how can you ignore Anderson?’ let me know in the comments box below.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer who blogs about Cheltenham tips 2010, Premier League football and racing tips.

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/main-content/top-10-south-americans-in-the-premier-league/feed/ Spurs Pav-ing the Way to Europe http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/spurs-pav-ing-the-way-to-europe/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/spurs-pav-ing-the-way-to-europe/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:26:13 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2561 Despite a game of rather inconsistent refereeing, Spurs kept their cool at The Lane and fired home for a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. The visitors kicked off the match Saturday afternoon and early attempts from both sides promised a close game. Spurs were just off on several occasions, as Blackburn had the same kind [...]]]>

Despite a game of rather inconsistent refereeing, Spurs kept their cool at The Lane and fired home for a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. The visitors kicked off the match Saturday afternoon and early attempts from both sides promised a close game. Spurs were just off on several occasions, as Blackburn had the same kind of luck on their counter-attacks. Blackburn took a knock in the 24th minute as former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson limped off the pitch with what is believed to be a calf injury, receiving a warm reception from the home side.

Spurs bagged the first goal on the half-time mark off a corner taken by Kranjčar. A run and flick on from Ćorluka left Defoe unmarked at the back post and he took advantage of the situation. Spirit was high in North London as just 10 minutes into the second half Spurs cushioned their lead through Pavlyuchenko. The ball was collected at midfield as Modrić broke away and found Defoe who then gave Pav the scoring chance. A penalty appeal was merely waved away by Howard Webb for a goal kick to Blackburn after Bale was clearly taken down in the box.

Shortly after, with ten minutes to go, Blackburn found their feet as Samba beat Dawson in the air to head in a deep corner from Pedersen. Pavlyuchenko again cushioned the score to 3-1; after missing a perfect opportunity, the ball was recollected and a brilliant ball in from Bale across the face of goal ensured the win.

As Pavlyuchenko added to his tally of seven goals in five games, Defoe scored his seventeenth goal in PL this season. Spurs happily go home with three more points, and get ready to do the same at Stoke next weekend.

A delighted manager explained after the win, “It’s a great win for us. You get a feeling about games, and driving to the stadium this morning, I just felt it was going to be difficult day for us against Blackburn because they are so strong. We watched re-runs of their match against Liverpool and they gave them a lot of problems, so to pick up the three points was great for us.”

“I know their away form hasn’t been that good but they are strong on set-plays and we knew we would have to do well to defend against that. They started well as well and for the first 10, 15 minutes they were on the front foot. We got on top in the last 25 minutes of the half, really dominated and the goal (at the end of the half) was the icing on the cake. To come in 1-0 up was a real boost for us.”

“We felt that if we could get the ball down and play that we could cause them massive problems and it was a great result in the end. They are a good team and they will win plenty of games, so it’s a great three points for us,” he finished.

After a draw from Aston Villa-Stoke on the same day, and also a draw from Man City-Sunderland, Spurs wait for Liverpool to play Pompey on Monday. While Spurs lead on goal difference and by two points, City have a game in hand. Harry Redknapp seems to believe that City are the favorites to finish fourth, but there is definitely no reason why Spurs shouldn’t be able to. However, coming up, is a difficult string of games, with the likes of Man United, Chelsea, and Arsenal at the end of the season. And with eight games left in the season, they really have to keep a winning composure if they are to make it to the Champions League.

Jill Guthrie

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/spurs-pav-ing-the-way-to-europe/feed/ Premiership Results Weekend 13th to 14th March http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/premiership-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/premiership-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:37:30 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2560 Saturday 13 March Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 1 Blackburn Rovers Birmingham City 2 - 2 Everton Bolton Wanderers 4 - 0 Wigan Athletic Burnley 1 - 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Chelsea 4 - 1 West Ham United Stoke City 0 - 0 Aston Villa Hull City 1 - 2 Arsenal Sunday 14 March Manchester United 3 - 0 Fulham Sunderland 1 - 1 Manchester City [...]]]>

Saturday 13 March

Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City 2 - 2 Everton
Bolton Wanderers 4 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Burnley 1 - 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea 4 - 1 West Ham United
Stoke City 0 - 0 Aston Villa
Hull City 1 - 2 Arsenal

Sunday 14 March

Manchester United 3 - 0 Fulham
Sunderland 1 - 1 Manchester City

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/premiership-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/feed/ Bundesliga Results Weekend 12th to 14th March http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/bundesliga/bundesliga-results-weekend-12th-to-14th-march/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/bundesliga/bundesliga-results-weekend-12th-to-14th-march/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:37:01 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2559 Friday 12 March Schalke 04 2 - 1 VfB Stuttgart Saturday 13 March Borussia M’gladbach 0 - 4 VfL Wolfsburg VfL Bochum 1 - 4 Borussia Dortmund FSV Mainz 05 1 - 0 Köln Hannover 96 2 - 1 Eintracht Frankfurt Hertha BSC 1 - 2 FC Nürnberg Bayern München 2 - 1 Freiburg Sunday 14 March Hoffenheim 0 - 1 Werder [...]]]>

Friday 12 March

Schalke 04 2 - 1 VfB Stuttgart

Saturday 13 March

Borussia M’gladbach 0 - 4 VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Bochum 1 - 4 Borussia Dortmund
FSV Mainz 05 1 - 0 Köln
Hannover 96 2 - 1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Hertha BSC 1 - 2 FC Nürnberg
Bayern München 2 - 1 Freiburg

Sunday 14 March

Hoffenheim 0 - 1 Werder Bremen
Bayer Leverkusen 4 - 2 Hamburger SV

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/bundesliga/bundesliga-results-weekend-12th-to-14th-march/feed/ Serie A Results Weekend 12th to 14th March http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/italian-serie-a/serie-a-results-weekend-12th-to-14th-march/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/italian-serie-a/serie-a-results-weekend-12th-to-14th-march/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:35:41 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2558
Friday 12 March Catania 3 - 1 Internazionale Saturday 13 March Napoli 1 - 3 Fiorentina Sunday 14 March Parma 1 - 0 Atalanta Lazio 0 - 2 Bari Genoa 5 - 3 Cagliari Udinese 3 - 2 Palermo Livorno 3 - 3 Roma Bologna 1 - 1 Sampdoria Juventus 3 - 3 Siena Milan 1 - 0 Chievo 2010-11 Italy Puma Training [...]]]>

Friday 12 March

Catania 3 - 1 Internazionale

Saturday 13 March

Napoli 1 - 3 Fiorentina

Sunday 14 March

Parma 1 - 0 Atalanta
Lazio 0 - 2 Bari
Genoa 5 - 3 Cagliari
Udinese 3 - 2 Palermo
Livorno 3 - 3 Roma
Bologna 1 - 1 Sampdoria
Juventus 3 - 3 Siena
Milan 1 - 0 Chievo

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/italian-serie-a/serie-a-results-weekend-12th-to-14th-march/feed/ La Liga Results Weekend 13th to 14th March http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/spanish-la-liga/la-liga-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/spanish-la-liga/la-liga-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:35:10 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2557 Saturday 13 March Getafe 3 - 0 Mallorca Sporting Gijón 0 - 0 Athletic Bilbao Sevilla 1 - 1 Deportivo La Coruña Sunday 14 March Villarreal 2 - 0 Deportivo Xerez Tenerife 4 - 1 Espanyol Racing Santander 0 - 0 Real Zaragoza Almería 1 - 0 Málaga Barcelona 3 - 0 Valencia Real Valladolid 1 - 4 Real Madrid 2010-11 [...]]]>

Saturday 13 March

Getafe 3 - 0 Mallorca
Sporting Gijón 0 - 0 Athletic Bilbao
Sevilla 1 - 1 Deportivo La Coruña

Sunday 14 March

Villarreal 2 - 0 Deportivo Xerez
Tenerife 4 - 1 Espanyol
Racing Santander 0 - 0 Real Zaragoza
Almería 1 - 0 Málaga
Barcelona 3 - 0 Valencia
Real Valladolid 1 - 4 Real Madrid

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/spanish-la-liga/la-liga-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/feed/ Ligue 1 Results Weekend 13th to 14th March http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/ligue-1/ligue-1-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/ligue-1/ligue-1-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:34:43 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2556 Saturday 13 March Montpellier 1 - 1 Auxerre Monaco 0 - 0 Bordeaux Nancy 1 - 3 Boulogne Lorient 1 - 0 Lens Le Mans 0 - 1 Nice PSG 4 - 1 Sochaux Olympique Lyon 1 - 1 Saint-Étienne Sunday 14 March Lille 1 - 0 Grenoble Valenciennes 0 - 2 Stade Rennes Toulouse 1 - 1 Olympique Marseille 2010-11 Italy [...]]]>

Saturday 13 March

Montpellier 1 - 1 Auxerre
Monaco 0 - 0 Bordeaux
Nancy 1 - 3 Boulogne
Lorient 1 - 0 Lens
Le Mans 0 - 1 Nice
PSG 4 - 1 Sochaux
Olympique Lyon 1 - 1 Saint-Étienne

Sunday 14 March

Lille 1 - 0 Grenoble
Valenciennes 0 - 2 Stade Rennes
Toulouse 1 - 1 Olympique Marseille

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/ligue-1/ligue-1-results-weekend-13th-to-14th-march/feed/ SPL Results Weekend 13th March http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/scottish-football/spl-results-weekend-13th-march/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/scottish-football/spl-results-weekend-13th-march/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:34:12 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2555 Saturday 13 March Hamilton Academicals 1 - 0 St. Mirren Falkirk 1 - 2 St. Johnstone Motherwell 3 - 1 Heart of Midlothian 2010-11 Italy Puma Training Fleece (White) £44.99 2010-11 Italy 1/2 Zip Hooded Training Jacket £44.99 2010-11 Italy 1/2 Zip Hooded Training Top (Kids) [...]]]>

Saturday 13 March

Hamilton Academicals 1 - 0 St. Mirren
Falkirk 1 - 2 St. Johnstone
Motherwell 3 - 1 Heart of Midlothian

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/scottish-football/spl-results-weekend-13th-march/feed/ Leonardo Wants Player To Forget Man Utd Game http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/italian-serie-a/leonardo-wants-player-to-forget-man-utd-game/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/italian-serie-a/leonardo-wants-player-to-forget-man-utd-game/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:46:57 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2554
Milan boss Leonardo has urged his players to forget their 4-0 humiliation at Manchester United and focus on challenging for the Scudetto. “I had imagined a different game at Old Trafford,” said the Brazilian manager. “We had structural problems but we also have to recognise the strength of our rivals. “I nevertheless believe that one should not [...]]]>

Milan boss Leonardo has urged his players to forget their 4-0 humiliation at Manchester United and focus on challenging for the Scudetto.

“I had imagined a different game at Old Trafford,” said the Brazilian manager. “We had structural problems but we also have to recognise the strength of our rivals.

“I nevertheless believe that one should not judge Milan based on the game at Old Trafford.

“We are still second in Serie A, four points behind Inter. Let’s focus on our strengths and not be conditioned by the negative result at Manchester United.

“This Milan side does not need to be transformed, it just needs to be intelligent and make sure this setback does not have a negative effect on our aims this season.”

]]> http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/italian-serie-a/leonardo-wants-player-to-forget-man-utd-game/feed/ Wneger Commits Future To Arsenal http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/wneger-commits-future-to-arsenal/ http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/wneger-commits-future-to-arsenal/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:45:57 +0000 admin http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/?p=2553 Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move to Real Madrid this summer by pledging his commitment to Arsenal. Wenger has long been targeted by the Spanish giants and he’s now being linked again after Real’s early exit from the Champions League. Current manager Manuel Pellegrini is under fire at the Bernabeu but Wenger has revealed he he’s [...]]]>

Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move to Real Madrid this summer by pledging his commitment to Arsenal.

Wenger has long been targeted by the Spanish giants and he’s now being linked again after Real’s early exit from the Champions League.

Current manager Manuel Pellegrini is under fire at the Bernabeu but Wenger has revealed he he’s not planning to leave Arsenal.

“I am always going to the end of my contract and I am going to 2011,” he said. “There is no way.”

Wenger joked that Real ought to “leave me alone” when the subject of him potentially being chased by the club was broached, and said that he preferred to focus on his next task when asked to give the details of Florentino Perez’s approach to him last summer.

“For me it is the worst moment to come back on that,” he said, with a smile. “At the moment I focus on Hull City. Maybe it’s less glamorous than Real Madrid but they are much more important in my life at the moment.”

Perez spent £240 million on new signings last summer, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, as he hoped to push the club to the Champions League final in May, which will be staged at the Bernabeu. But Wenger, once again, pointed out that a large transfer budget does not guarantee silverware.

“£240 million doesn’t buy you the Champions League necessarily,” he said. “If you can spend it every year, you will get there but it is the first year of Perez back and you have to give him time. He only has to invest again next year, so I think they will be a force again. But at the moment it’s difficult to take for them.

“In the last five years we have been in the Champions League final, the semi-final, two times the quarter-final. It is the consistency that is the most difficult to achieve at the top level because you have so many teams that want to be in there. When you just turn up regularly, in England, we don’t rate that any more because we are used to it. But it’s not easy.”

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