Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko seems certain to be staying in the Bundesliga despite reported interest from several Premier League clubs.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, plus AC Milan in Italy, have all been mentioned as potential suitors for the Bosnia hot-shot.
Dzeko’s 22 goals in 34 Bundesliga games last season made him one of the hottest properties in European football.
However, after no club activated the 40million euros release fee in his contract before the deadline of May 31, Wolfsburg sporting director Dieter Hoeness now expects the striker to remain at the Volkswagen Arena.
“The conditions have not been met,” said Hoeness in a statement. “We are very pleased that the period of uncertainty is over. He is a player of huge quality who would have been very difficult for us to replace.”
New manager Steve McClaren made it his number one priority to retain Dzeko after being confirmed in the Wolfsburg hot-seat last week.
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The plight of Bill Kenwright, Robert Earl and Jon Woods is representative of many English owners. They bought in to Everton at a time when their wealth was, proportionate to the other owners, relatively impressive. Both Woods and Kenwright were born in Liverpool and grew up supporting Everton. And, like many English owners, their financial situations are now comparatively modest.
As it currently stands, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton and Sunderland are completely foreign owned.
On top of that, the Russian company Thames Sport Investment owns 51% of Reading and both Swansea and West Ham are part owned by foreign investors. So, out of the 20 Premier League teams, only seven are wholly owned by UK nationals.
This poses the questions: how long will it be before there are no English owners left and what will the consequences be of a completely foreign owned Premier League?
Clearly the main factor drawing foreign investors to the Premier League is the economic potential of owning part of such a profitable league.
The latest television rights deal for the Premier League was sold for a combined total of £3b for three seasons, and that’s just for broadcasting rights in the UK. The overseas rights are expected to go for around £2b for the same period.
If you compare this to other leagues it is clear to see just how highly our league is valued. The Bundesliga rights amount to around £1b less for the same period whilst the combined total in La Liga is £510m per season. That’s roughly half of the amount received by English clubs.
In fact the average club in La Liga will receive far less than that as the vast majority of that money goes to either Barcelona or Real Madrid.
That leads us on to the second point. Because the Premier League shares the financial packages amongst their teams the league is far more competitive. This means the potential to buy a struggling team and improve it is far greater than it would be in leagues like Spain’s.
Shirt sponsorship is also higher than any other league in the world with €128m received last season by Premier League clubs. The next highest was the Bundesliga with €121m.
So, it is clear to see why overseas investors are attracted to the Premier League. However, if our league is so profitable why aren’t more English investors attracted to owning English clubs? The fact is that despite it being the most profitable league in the world it is still hard to turn a profit owning a football club. So, for wealthy individuals looking to own a football club England is clearly the most attractive prospect yet that individual still has to have extortionate amounts of money in the first place to think about buying a club.
Perhaps there just aren’t enough people in the UK who are both incredibly wealthy and fans of football. Moreover, with every new billionaire who buys in to the Premier League the requisite level of wealth an owner needs to succeed increases.
In reality, outside of the US, there are probably very few countries that do have enough billionaires to own every single top-flight club. Therefore it makes sense that wealthy individuals from different countries would relocate their passion for football to one country. That just happens to be us.
What, then, does this mean for the future of English football? That these foreign owners love football should not be in doubt. No owner would pour so much money in to something they had no interest in. However, some owners are definitely more preoccupied with the financial side than others and just because an owner may love football, it doesn’t mean they have an incredibly strong bond with the club they own. Unlike the fans who owned clubs in the past, unlike owners like Bill Kenwright, these foreign owners are still primarily looking out for themselves.
There is nothing wrong with foreign ownership per se. However, if these owners are not held accountable for the way in which they run these clubs then there could be dangerous issues. They, after all, have a moral responsibility to safeguard the future of these clubs for the fans. Portsmouth has served as a warning for this, and it should be a warning that is carefully heeded.
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Another issue is that with so much foreign money coming in there could be a danger that wealthy English fans are forever priced out of owning part of the club they love. Finally, there is an issue, which not all English fans are against but is still a worrying prospect, with regards to moving games abroad. Just as some NFL games are now played in London at Wembley, American owners could look to play some Premier League games abroad.
The financial benefits of this might be a compelling argument but it is a dangerous road to travel down. Were it to become customary, how long would it be before games were exported to other nations?
These foreign owners may be called owners but they should be thought of as stewards. These clubs are ours. Morally, they belong to the fans. We should welcome their input as long as it benefits the English leagues. Many will argue that, considering these clubs are no longer under English ownership, it is too late to have a say in such issues yet in the Premier League we have a body that is able to provide a check on the owners. Let’s hope, for the sake of the future of English football, they exercise that right.
Newcastle made their best start to a season for 17 years with first half goals from Demba Ba and Jonas Gutierrez giving them a 2-1 win against Wolves at Molineux.
Alan Pardew’s men have yet to taste defeat in the current campaign and are now sitting pretty in third place after their hard fought victory in the Midlands. Ba carried on where he left off last week against Blackburn scoring the opener before a superb solo strike from Gutierrez gave the Magpies some breathing space. A late charge from the home side saw Steven Fletcher pull one back before a penalty shout was tuned down and Kevin Doyle had a legitimate goal disallowed in stoppage time. Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy had some harsh words for referee Mark Halsey at the final whistle whilst those in away dugout breathed a huge sigh of relief after the late drama. A side built on a relatively small budget is oozing confidence at the moment and it was unthinkable eight weeks ago to think they’d be just four points off the Premier League summit. Credit must fall at the feet of Pardew who has made his team hard to break down and also breathed new life into a clutch of strikers written off before a ball had even been kicked.
Tim Krul has also seen his stock rise after a series of commanding displays in goal and he showed why he is so highly rated making a series of superb saves in the opening exchanges. Firstly he dived low to keep out Jamie O’Hara’s free kick before twice denying Doyle. He then pulled off a miraculous double save from Fletcher and Adam Hammill as the home side dominated early on. Those saves proved crucial as the visitors finally got into their groove and took the lead through Ba. He and Leon Best are clearly benefiting from the faith shown in them by Pardew and the Senegalese striker was again on target after hitting a hat trick at St James’ Park last week. he took just 17 minutes to find the net heading in Yohan Cabaye’s corner from the left. With a mix of deadly pace and power in attack it was no surprise when they doubled their lead through Gutierrez seven minutes before half time. The Argentine isn’t renowned for scoring goals and he’ll remember this one for a while surging past four challenges before slotting past Wayne Hennessey to celebrate the new contract he signed just days prior in style.
Wolves were then denied a penalty just minutes later with Steven Taylor’s foul on O’Hara deemed to have taken place just outside the area with McCarthy furious on the touchline. The second half didn’t contain much excitement until Fletcher nodded in the hosts consolation before Doyle had his effort chalked off in controversial circumstances. Hammill’s deep cross was headed back across by Matt Jarvis into the path of Doyle who planted the ball past Krul. The Wolves players spun away to celebrate only to see their joy turn to despair with the assistant referee raised his flag after judging that Hammill’s cross had incorrectly gone out of play. It proved to be decisive as the Magpies held on to keep their impressive run going and leave the home side staring at a fourth consecutive defeat.
Get over to Goaldash and check your numbers to see what you might have won!
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Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has several selection concerns ahead of his side’s friendly with Austria in Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Star winger Arjen Robben has already been ruled out of the game, while Arsenal striker Robin van Persie joined Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong on the sidelines due to illness.
Robben trained with Bayern Munich’s fitness coaches on Tuesday as he continues his fight to regain full fitness following the severe hamstring injury he suffered during the 2010 World Cup.
With De Jong and Robben out, Twente’s Theo Janssen is likely to partner Mark van Bommel in midfield, while Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder has been passed fit and should start at PSV Stadium.
Van Persie had been tipped as a likely replacement for Schalke marksman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, whose domestic form has tailed off in recent weeks.
Despite the bad news on the fitness front, van Marwijk was full of praise for international newcomer Kevin Strootman, claming the 20-year-old Utrecht midfielder was handling the pressure of his first Netherlands call up well.
“I love footballers who have an overview in all situations, and who can think two or three steps in advance,” van Marwijk said.
“He is also a winner, he also dares to push forward playing modern football.”
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“He’s got an incredible technique, he can shoot with his left leg as well, and since he was selected in the team, everyone looks on him differently.”
“Fellow players look at you, the press looks at you and the audience and for such a young boy, it is all overwhelming.”
Emile Heskey has become a bit of a laughing stock over the last few years and always seems to be the butt of every football joke.
His goal scoring record has never been great, 7 goals in 62 England appearances and 117 goals in 546 league games for five different clubs. At the ripe age of 34 I can’t imagine that record improving either so the big question is; why would Ipswich want Heskey?
Paul Jewell has highlighted in the press on a couple of occasions that he wants a big physical striker and at 6ft 2in Heskey is certainly that type of player!
He isn’t a glamorous striker or a goal scorer but he can still add something special to any team he joins. He is great at holding up the ball, making simple passes and he works hard to get back to defend when needed. Also, after playing so many years in the Premier League it is obvious that Heskey has great vision and intelligence as a player so he would be a level above any other Ipswich player in that sense.
He may have lost some of ability he had in his prime but personally, I think it would amazing to have Heskey on the bench every game ready to replace Chopra when the time was right. The former Leicester striker has never been known for his pace and he would probably be used as a sub in most games, so his age shouldn’t effect his ability to do a good job for Ipswich.
To win The Championship not only does a side need a team of technically gifted players but they also need gritty players who will help grind out results even when the team is out of form. Many times last season Ipswich would score 1 or 2 goals early on then concede 2 or 3 in the second half and it was hard to watch the team fall apart in the later stages of so many games.
When Ipswich are only just holding onto a 1-0 lead it would be great see Heskey come off the bench, play simple passes to keep the ball and give the team an extra man defensively. He would without a doubt help Ipswich grind out the type of results that previously they have failed to.
Additionally, Jewell has just brought in a fair few young players so the team could probably do with an experienced figure coming in. The fans generally seem to like the idea of having Heskey an option. In a recent online survey 74% of Ipswich fans said they would be in favour of Heskey joining and the former England international was signed by Paul Jewell at Wigan in 2006. Obviously Jewell knows and rates Heskey as a player and it seems like the fans also rate him.
Whether he is laughed at or not I don’t think anyone at Ipswich will care as long as Heskey helps bring in positive results.He plays a role that a lot of people fail to appreciate and he sacrifices his goal scoring record for the sake of the team.
The only reason Heskey is mocked so much is because he is probably one of the most high profile players that play that under appreciated role within a team. It is not his fault that he was picked by England managers on so many occasions and it is important to remember that he can still score goals even though it isn’t the best part of his game.
I for one am hoping that Ipswich do manage to sign him as there aren’t many strikers that can help grind out results like Heskey does.
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Arsenal have been the busiest team on transfer deadline day, signing Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos and Yossi Benayoun before the window closed.
Arsene Wenger had spoken of his desire to strengthen his squad, especially following the 8-2 humbling by Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, and has spent big to bring new faces to the Emirates.
Spaniard Arteta has joined from Everton in a £10 million deal, and will go some way to plugging the hole left by countryman Cesc Fabregas. The Telegraph has stated that the former Rangers midfielder has taken a dramatic wage cut, from £75,000-a-week to £55,000-a-week, to secure a move to The Gunners, and David Moyes could not stand in his way.
“Mikel indicated to me he wished to join Arsenal. I am very disappointed to lose him but the prospect of Champions League football was something I was not able to offer him,” the Goodison Park boss admitted.
As expected, defensive duo Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos have moved to North London to steady the side’s backline, with the Germany international costing £9 million and the Brazilian £6.2 million; both completed medicals on Tuesday and officially signed on Wednesday.
Finally, Benayoun has joined Wenger’s men on a one-year loan deal from rivals Chelsea. The Israel international has had an injury plagued time at Stamford Bridge and was forced down the pecking order by The Blues’ signature of Juan Mata; he will hope to get more first team action in North London.
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Midfielder Clint Dempsey scored a brace as Fulham eased their relegation fears with a 2-0 victory over a spirited Stoke at Craven Cottage.
Feuding managers Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes put their differences aside and shook hands before kick-off – having not done so after their side’s previous two meetings due to comments made by Hughes about the visitors’ robust style of play.
Potters captain Ryan Shawcross shaved the outside of the post with a header on the five-minute mark after Matthew Etherington found him with a pinpoint free-kick amid early Stoke pressure.
It was then Fulham’s turn to attack, and winger Damian Duff almost broke the deadlock with a superb long-range effort.
The former Chelsea star let rip from 30 yards and his shot looked to be flying into the top corner before the slightest of touches from Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic tipped the stinging drive on to the bar.
Danny Murphy went close moments later with a shot from just outside the box after neat build-up play by the home side, while they had stand-in keeper David Stockdale to thank for saving Tuncay’s low volley with his legs during a vibrant opening 15 minutes.
Fulham captain Murphy committed a clumsy foul on Dean Whitehead to earn himself a booking and, from the resulting free-kick, Chris Baird’s clearance fell to striker Kenwyne Jones who rattled the post from a tight angle.
Fulham eventually made the breakthrough with 30 minutes gone after some slack Stoke defending.
The hard-working Duff slipped in Andy Johnson, who breezed past a static Robert Huth to get to the by-line, from where his low cross found Dempsey, left free by his marker Andy Wilkinson, and the American lashed home his seventh league goal of the season.
Fulham then gave themselves some breathing space 10 minutes into the second half when Dempsey bagged his second of the afternoon.
Murphy played the ball over the top of the Stoke backline to find the midfielder, who took a sublime touch to spin Shawcross and set himself through on goal.
Just before he was about to pull the trigger, Shawcross hauled him back, duly getting his marching orders in the process and allowing Dempsey to lash home from the penalty spot.
Johnson wasted a great chance to make it three as Begovic saved low down but, with Fulham already two goals up and Stoke a man down, the three points were safe.
As the Euros draw to a close, attention turns to the Barclays Premier League as fans assess their side’s chances next season. With a summer of transfer gossip and managerial merry-go-rounds soon to be in full swing, it’s time to take a look at which player’s will be making a major impact for their club’s in the upcoming campaign.
There are so many potential stars vying for integral roles in their team’s first XIs but will it be the home grown youngsters time to impress or will it be senior players who have taken time to adjust since their big money moves?
England may have a vast array of players coming through at club level but the next generation of talent are not the only ones expected to make step up. Many foreign stars have graced the top flight but usually it takes time for them to adapt to the pace of the English game and their second season is often their time to shine. Whether it’s an over inflated price tag or unjustified potential, there will plenty of players vying to make an impression.
Below is a list of the 15 Players most likely to make an impact for their clubs next season.
Click on Luis Suarez to unveil the 15
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Argentina Football Association President Julio Grondona has confirmed Alejandro Sabella will take over as the country’s national team coach.AFA general secretary Jose Luis Meiszner last week revealed former Estudiantes boss Sabella was the organisation’s first choice to succeed Sergio Batista, who was sacked after Argentina’s dismal Copa America showing last month.
Grondona has validated his colleague’s comments, but said there would no formal unveiling, with Sabella’s appointment now common knowledge.
“The details are being finalised but Sabella has already been presented (in the media) and will be coach from here … until the World Cup in Brazil, contingent on Argentina qualifying for the tournament,” Grondona said, referring to the FIFA showcase in 2014.
Sabella, 56, had been expected to take over United Arab Emirates team Al-Jazira, having signed an agreement to coach the United Arab Emirates Pro-League club back on June 11.
But he failed to arrive in the country on schedule, opting instead to take up the opportunity to lead his national team.
After a playing career that included spells at River Plate, Sheffield United, Leeds United and Estudiantes, Sabella served regularly as an assistant coach to Daniel Passarella, head coach of Argentina between 1994 and 1998.
Passarella and Sabella also worked together with Uruguay, Parma, Corinthians of Brazil and Mexican side Monterrey.
Sabella then led Estudiantes to Copa Libertadores glory in 2009 and the Argentine Apertura title a year later, before resigning in February 2011.
He made four appearances as a player for the Argentina national team.
Another transfer window, another player for Manchester City. But can Edin Dzeko, the man City paid £27m to Wolfsburg for, fire them to glory? It definitely seems he has the talent, but he may well need time to adjust.
Dzeko is the current holder of the Bosnian player of the year award, and in 111 league appearances for Wolfsburg, he has managed a quite stunning total of 66 goals. If that is then compared with his international tally of 17 goals in 31 games, we can see why he is so revered, not only in Bosnia and Germany, but also across Europe, as has been shown by Manchester City’s interest in the 24 year-old.
Manchester City may have the best defence in the league, but if they are to really challenge for the top, they will need to stop relying so heavily on Argentinean talisman, Carlos Tevez, up the other end. Tevez has scored 12 league goals, more than twice as many as his nearest compatriot, Mario Balotelli, who has 5. With Balotelli looking promising, but yet to fully slot into the side, or to life in England, reportedly citing homesickness, Dzeko would be a very useful addition if he could come up with anywhere near the number of goals he has done in Germany for Steve McLaren’s side.
With Emmanuel Adebayor also looking fairly discontented, especially after his training ground bust-up with Kolo Toure, Dzeko’s arrival could be very well timed. The Bosnian is also accustomed to winning at a club to whom silverware is a rare thing. At Wolfsburg, before Dzeko’s arrival, the club had never won a Bundesliga or German title, but the young Bosnian helped fire them to the title, scoring 26 goals in the process.
Unlike City’s another precocious talent, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko is slightly older and has also spent time away from his homeland already, so will therefore not suffer from the homesickness that the Italian has. Dzeko has the credentials to be a key ingredient to fire Manchester City to glory, but coming into a side halfway through a season is always difficult, as Adam Johnson found out, only recently being able to showcase his true talent. So while he may have what it takes, the young Bosnian will need time to settle in before he can really demonstrate how good he is.
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