Benfica are on the verge of signing Arsenal defender Armand Traore, according to the 20-year-old's agent.
The Frenchman is expected to complete his £3.2million switch to the reigning Portuguese champions at some point this week and will reportedly pen a four-year deal.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger already has Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs as his left-back options and has decided to dispense with Traore's services.
The player's agent, Richard des Voeux, told A Bola newspaper:"A number of European clubs were interested in Armand but the Benfica option is more important in many aspects.
"The interest is real and we are at a sensitive stage (of negotiations). Armand is aware of contacts between Benfica and Arsenal.
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"Benfica are a wonderful club that would interest any player. Obviously, Armand is very interested and excited about the possibility of coming to play at Benfica. Nothing is finalised, but things can be decided very soon."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Jermaine Jenas’ career has not gone the way he would have wanted it to in the last few years. Jenas has largely become a bit part player for Tottenham Hotspur and has failed to find his way into the England set-up as a result. Jenas himself has admitted he had doubts about the future of his Spurs career this summer, and began considering a move in order to get the game time he craves, Sky Sports quote Jenas as stating,
“There has been constant rumours about me leaving but I just want to be settled and part of the Tottenham team again. At one time I felt I’d have to leave because all I wanted to do was play football and I wasn’t getting games here. But despite the offers that came in, they were not worth leaving for.”
Jermaine Jenas obviously feels he still has the quality to play regularly for Spurs, but you get the feeling that this season, or indeed merely up to this January, will be his last chance to impress at White Hart Lane.
Jenas has by no means had a bad career at Tottenham. When he first arrived at the club from Newcastle for £7 million, he instantly cemented his place in the first team. Over the next few seasons Jenas impressed for the club, he was a mainstay in midfield where his all-round capabilities made him an efficient and effective player, he also netted a decent amount of goals.
When Harry Redknapp arrived at the club in 2008 however, the new boss saw Spurs midfield as an area that needed strengthening. In his first January transfer window, Redknapp made a host of signings, including one that would directly threaten Jenas’ position in the team. Midfield powerhouse Wilson Palacios was signed from Wigan, and he went straight into the first team, and until the last few weeks, the Honduran has not looked back.
Redknapp’s preferred choice in central midfield has been Palacios and Tom Huddlestone. Palacios is a rambunctious and energetic defensive midfielder, whilst Huddlestone really seems to have matured in the last year or so and appears to be a favourite of Redknapp. The signing of midfielder Sandro also looked to have pushed Jenas down the pecking order, though as of yet we wait to see what the Brazilian can offer. When you consider that Luka Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart and Niko Kranjcar are all comfortable in central midfield, one gets a sense of the level of competition there is for starting places in the Spurs midfield.
At the start of this season though, a little window has opened up for Jenas which he may not have expected. Palacios seems to have gone compeletely off the boil for the time being and it has allowed Jenas some game time, and crucially, some starts. Jenas has looked quite good in these games, providing the well-rounded displays he is known for. If he can maintain this current form, Jenas might just be able to prolong his career at White Hart Lane.
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The problem for Jermaine Jenas is that he comes across as a jack of all trades, but a master of none. When the season gets into the nitty gritty you imagine that Redknapp will be looking for powerful performances in midfield that Jenas may struggle to provide. Despite starting the season reasonably well, I just cannot see Jenas getting regular starts this term, and a move next summer or even in January may prove to be the best thing he can do for his career.
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Roy Hodgson believes his Liverpool team will find it difficult to break down a well-organised Steaua Bucharest side when the two outfits meet in Thursday's Europa League clash at Anfield.
The Romanian side have an impressive European pedigree, including a European Cup victory in 1986 and run to the final three years later.
Liverpool have started the campaign in a mediocre manner and were particularly toothless in attack on Sunday in the goalless draw against Birmingham City.
Hodgson said in the build-up to the match:"I checked up on it – Steaua Bucharest have played 232 matches in Europe.
"They have won a Champions League, been finalists and have won 23 league titles – so please don't try to suggest they have no chance of getting a result tonight.
"We've only had a little while to assess them. I've been quite impressed with their two central midfield players. That is a strong part of their team and the two centre-forwards are good too.
"They are a well-organised team and, from what we've seen of them, we know we will have an interesting and important game on our hands, but that's what you want.
"You don't play in the Europa League to play against poor opponents. If I do change the team tonight then I want the players to go out there and perform against top-class opposition.
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"There's no point me watching them play against poor opposition because that might fool me into thinking they are better than they are.
"So, tonight we will play against a top-class team and I'm sure it will be a very good game. Hopefully we will come out on top."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
While Rafael van der Vaart is slowly becoming the transfer bargain of the summer, it begs the question as to where he ranks among the great foreign imports that have graced White Hart Lane over the years.
This article is a tribute to the top greatest foreign imports to wear the famous White shirt and while I am sure there are many players that we all agree on, I am certain there are other players that many of you will believe should have been included on the list. Scan the gallery and my reasons for each player’s inclusion in the team; however please feel free to add any glaring omissions that I may have made in the comments below….
Click on the White Hart Lane gates to see the top 10 foreign imports to grace the white shirt
Manchester City's England midfielder James Milner has hit out at continuing rumours of a dressing-room split at Eastlands.
The papers seem convinced that there are problems at City following two consecutive defeats, but Milner insists that such talk is far from being true.
He told reporters:"When we see nonsense written in the papers it pulls us closer together.
"When it seems like the whole world is against you, that is when you pull together.
"These things will make us stronger as a football club. You go through times when things aren't quite right and it's important to keep things right off the field.
"I've been at Newcastle and Leeds where the press seemed be outside the training ground whenever you drove in. We can't control what's off the field, we can only control results.
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"Having on-field disagreements says we're very hungry to win football matches. We'd be worried if there wasn't that hunger because we're desperate to win trophies.
"In changing rooms up and down the country you'll see people disagreeing, but it's forgotten as soon as you step off the pitch. We're a tight group."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
It’s all become a bit familiar hasn’t it? I don’t know what it is, but every time England are due to play, whether it’s a friendly or a major tournament, you can’t help but be embraced by the anticipation that this time, we have really turned a corner.
Unfortunately, we have been let down. Again. The stale performance against France prolonged the feeling of embarrassment felt post world cup, whilst our opposition, who had a similarly awful summer, seemed to have firmly put their disgraceful time in South Africa behind them.
Fabio Capello now has to deal with everything which is inevitably going to thrown at him. Liverpool’s physiotherapist, Darren Burgess, used Twitter to vent his frustration at how long Steven Gerrard played, the media have decided the youngsters aren’t good enough, despite feeling they should have gone to the World Cup and Gareth Southgate even suggested pre match that Andy Carroll should have been left in the stands, to warn him about him future off-the-field conduct.
None of this is new, though. The fallout from an England game is as predictable as Audley Harrison hitting the canvas, but we must look for positives in time for the next England game so we can become full of expectancy once more.
Here’s five things I learnt from England last night:
1. Gerrard should be captain. I’m a huge fan of Rio Ferdinand and I think the assurance he brings to England and Manchester United’s defence is irreplaceable, but if we are going to get the best out of Steven Gerrard, then the only way is to hand him the armband. It shouldn’t take something like this for the Liverpool skipper to step up, but he seems to thrive on the added responsibility and becomes Beckham-like in his one-man mission to win games for his country when he is captain. I got the feeling that had he been wearing the armband, he wouldn’t have let Mathieu Valbuena run past him quite so easily for France’s second goal.
2. The kids need time. After that joke of a World Cup, Capello had no option but to look to the future. Marcel Desailly said last night that the youngsters aren‘t ready, but they’re never going to be unless they are given chances, and last night was the perfect opportunity for that. Andy Carroll was fighting up top on his own with little service, which isn’t uncommon for an England striker, and I’m sure Jordan Henderson would have learnt a thing or two about international football after having a tough night, to say the least. But they weren’t alone. The senior players didn’t exactly shine so the kids by no means disgraced themselves. International football is another step-up from the Premier League which is why we so often struggle, but the more exposed the younger players or to it, the better they will become.
3.Phil Jagielka is not a right back. In the interest of using these friendly games to look at other options, why did Capello start Jagielka at right-back? He has been a rock playing centre back for Everton and England when called upon, so we know he’s good enough and an option should Ferdinand and Terry continue to be plagued by injuries. Micah Richards was on the bench and is much more acclimatised to life as a full-back. He is a real prospect for England and now he seems to be back to form and fitness, there is no reason why he can’t be competing with Glen Johnson.
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4. Adam Johnson and Peter Crouch have to start. Peter Crouch must be starting to think he’s done something to really annoy Fabio Capello. 22 goals in 42 international game speaks for itself, irrespective of who it’s against. I can understand not starting him last night; the game represented a chance for Carroll among others to show what they can do. During the summer, though, Crouch was ignored to the point where he might as well have not been in South Africa, but every time he plays, he seems the only one likely to threaten the oppositions goal. Similarly, Adam Johnson looks a breath of fresh air whenever he comes on. Admittedly he’s not been playing as regularly as maybe he should at Man City, but I don’t see a better option to fill that jinxed left-hand side slot. He provides energy and is direct in attack, plus he can actually cross and score goals!
5. England miss Rooney. Like it or not, there is no denying Wayne Rooney was sorely missed against France. When Capello’s troops needed someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck, they were found wanting. His aggressive nature and ability to creative something out of nothing gives England an extra edge, even when things aren’t going to plan. If Capello can make sure he stays forward to work alongside Carroll (or Crouch) instead of coming deep, then England would look much more of a threat than they did against France.
The most notable point from England’s defeat, was the gulf in class between ourselves and the French. They seem to have forgiven and forgotten the summer’s antics and are now building with a togetherness which Capello’s men lack. The future looks bright but it’s going to take time. There was no disgrace in being beaten as long as the game was useful – food for thought Mr. Capello.
There comes a time almost every season for sides exceeding pre- campaign expectations to experience a reality check. With the inconsistent nature of the majority of the title contending teams, however, this year has presented a major opportunity for an unheralded club to really compete with the biggest sides.
Bolton were excellent in beating Blackburn last time out having spent a large proportion of the second half with only 10 men. The team spirit developed by Owen Coyle has become very evident at the Reebok, and this will surely be tested by a Sunderland side with arguably one of the strongest forward lines in the league.
Steve Bruce will be missing a number of key players defensively. With Titus Bramble still out and Anton Ferdinand struggling, the Trotters may well return to their tactics under previous managers and put physical pressure on makeshift centre-half Nedum Onuoha. How he handles Kevin Davies will be key.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Kieran Gibbs will miss Arsenal's top-of-the-table clash against Manchester United next Monday.
The defender had to be replaced in the first half of the 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade after picking up an ankle injury and Wenger has said the 21-year-old will not travel.
Gibbs has endured a difficult period over the course of the last year, with numerous injuries including a metatarsal problem as well as knee and ankle complaints.
Wenger revealed that, although Gibbs could face a spell on the sidelines, the injury is not as bad as was first feared and the defender has suffered a problem with his right ankle – not the left ankle which has caused him problems in the past.
"Kieran Gibbs has a twisted ankle, an ankle sprain," said Wenger following the victory over Partizan on Wednesday.
"I don't know how damaged his ankle is – he will have a scan tomorrow.
"He is unbelievably unlucky. No, (it is not the same ankle he injured recently), it is the right one tonight.
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"I spoke to him, he is quite down. He is on crutches. I cannot tell you more.
"We will know tomorrow, but he is already out for Monday night."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
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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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.