Newcastle striker Demba Ba has quashed rumours that he is eager to leave the club, stating that stories that he may be on the move are mere media speculation.
The Senegalese forward has been in blistering form this season, and scored his 16th Premier League goal of the campaign against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Despite rumours stating that he has a £7 million release clause in his contract and that a number of leading sides are pursuing the African hitman, Ba has spoke of his intention to stay with the Tyneside outfit.
“I never talked to anyone to say I wanted to leave,” Ba told The Telegraph.
“I was just listening to people saying or writing he’s going there, he’s going there, he’s going there, and I had a big smile on my face.
“It was funny to me. The most important thing is being happy with your football and I am happy here,” he commented.
Ba reportedly turned down the legendary Newcastle No 9 jersey, but has confirmed it was because he wanted to keep his own number, and that new signing and countryman Papiss Cisse is welcome to it.
“I always said that I wanted to keep my number [19]. I always said that if someone comes in and you want to give him No 9, don’t even ask me – just give it to him if he wants it.
“He [Alan Pardew] asked me if I didn’t mind it going to him [Cisse]. I said just give it to him if it helps to sign him.
“I have told him everything about the No 9 shirt, but I have also said it is just a number. He is a very quiet guy. All the fuss and hype with not affect him,” Ba confessed.
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Newcastle are currently fifth in the Premier League standings and face Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
Controversy seems to follow Emmanuel Adebayor everywhere he goes, and so it is only fitting that he should be linked with his former employer’s Arsenal’s local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. The Togolese striker is currently on loan at Real Madrid from Manchester City, and with the Lilywhites obvious troubles up front, is signing the former Monaco forward worth the aggravation he will no doubt cause?
The former Gunners ace has proven his ability at the highest level, time and time again; averaging just over a goal every two games for the Gunners, and the same ratio for Manchester City. Adebayor has all the attributes of an ideal target man, very much like Peter Crouch, but the difference between the two is that Adebayor actually uses these attributes. The Togo star is strong in the air, holds up play and has a huge presence when in and around the final third.
The problem with Adebayor is that for every fantastic goal or entertainment he produces, there are always outspoken, controversial and blunt actions or comments. You have the infamous celebration against the Gunners, the ‘stamp’ on Robin Van Persie and the continual argument via the media with Roberto Mancini. It is these moments of madness that can overshadow a season, cost you a Cup Final or bring down a team’s morale, can Spurs really risk such an occurrence on their quest for Champions League football?
Liability or not, the fact of the matter Spurs are desperate for new faces in their frontline after the abysmal form of Defoe, Crouch and Pavlyuchenko this season. Yes Adebayor poses a risk, but what decision is football doesn’t? The knock down price that Adebayor will be available for, the guaranteed goals he will bring and yet another chance to get one over on Arsenal, after the success of Gallas, I think Spurs fans should embrace such a signing as Adebayor despite his ‘baggage’. Some of the games current greatest managers have seen real talent in big forward, and no doubt in true Adebayor style, he will endear himself to the White Hart Lane faithful, but for how long is a totally different question?
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Imogen Thomas Joins Paddy Power For a Champion Offer! They will refund losing Champions League Final bets if Man United lose the match Make your bets now!
Tottenham have moved quickly to quell the mixed interpretation of quotes that were made from AEG yesterday with regards to the club’s interest in the Olympic Stadium. I for one was pleased to hear this, especially given what was coming out of AEG’s Chief Executive David Campbell yesterday.
Maybe I am just an old romantic, but the prospect of leaving Tottenham for Stratford would be like ripping the heart out of the football club in my view and shouldn’t even be contemplated despite the vast difference in cost. Some of the business minded amongst you may think that financially the Olympic stadium would be the more viable option, and while that may well be the case I will still be totally opposed to any such move.
So am I letting my heart rule my head here with regards to the Olympic move? Apparently it will only cost in the region of £150m to transform the Stratford site to one suitable for football, whereas the new White Hart Lane will cost anywhere between £300-400m. It is a huge difference in price and although Sponsors would likely make up a large chunk of the costs with naming rights of the stadium, we have to accept the fact that for a few seasons the manager will have to rely on minimal investment and will have to lean largely on our youth set-up, like the other mob down the Seven Sisters to see us through. The Olympic stadium would enable us to remain competitive in the transfer market and start generating greater revenues sooner than the proposed new White Hart Lane; therefore you can understand why Tottenham shareholders would be interested in such a proposal given the current financial climate.
While I understand the pros and cons, I would rather use £150m to ensure that Tottenham remain loyal to their roots, even if it means we have to remain prudent for a few years as a result. That is the question that Tottenham fans have to ask themselves as they contemplate the two stadium proposals and whether they’ll be happy for the club to lose their roots for the sake of a cheaper option.
Written By Roy James
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We all know the big names in football, the Messis, the Ronaldos, the Beckhams and the Shaabans. Wait a minute, sorry who? Rami Shaaban, the former Arsenal goalkeeper? Never heard of him? Well don’t worry because here is an A-Z of footballers you never even knew existed until now. Serious tekkers if you did though. (Note: To qualify for a Randomness Rating, said player must have appeared for the club.)
A – Arphexad, Pegguy – Won 6 major honours by sitting on Liverpool’s and Leicester’s substitute’s bench. 9 different clubs, 40 appearances. Randomness Rating: 4/10
B – Bischoff, Amaury – Signed by Wenger as a talented youngster in the mould of Fabregas etc, but ended up making just a single appearance. Shows Wenger doesn’t always get it right. Randomness Rating: 7/10
C – Cordone, Daniel – £500k he cost Newcastle, but in the end just became one of many useless strikers signed to partner Alan Shearer. Shame they didn’t play 4-5-1 back then. Randomness Rating: 6/10
D – Donk, Ryan – Shockingly badly West Brom defender. Whatever you do, don’t put a donk on it when it involves Ryan. Randomness Rating: 7/10
E – Espinoza, Geovanny – Signed for Birmingham in 2009, made 2 League Cup appearances, then had his contract cancelled by mutual consent. Hapless. Randomness Rating: 8/10
F – Fumica – Another entry for Newcastle United, who pulled this Brazilian out of the bag after seeing rivals Middlesbrough’s Samba Star. Juninho he was not. Randomness Rating: 9/10
G – Gekas, Theofanis – For a man who smashes them in for Greece at international level, he disappointed somewhat when on loan at Portsmouth. One solitary appearance to his name. Randomness Rating: 6/10
H – Hay, Danny – Nobody thinks of New Zealanders as good footballers, but Leeds took a punt on centre-back Danny Hay. He played four times…Randomness Rating: 6/10
I – Inamoto, Junichi – A hero in Japan, a nobody in England. Less-than average stays at Arsenal, Fulham and West Brom. Randomness Rating 4/10
J – Jardel, Mario – Smashed in goals galore all over Europe, so when he joined Bolton in 2003, it appeared Big Sam had pulled out a massive coup. Left after just 7 appearances due to homesickness. Randomness Rating: 2/10
K – Katan, Yaniv – When a striker can’t beat Marlon Harewood for a first team spot, you know they’re just plain shit. Six extremely forgettable appearances in 2006 for West Ham before being shipped back into the wilderness. Randomness Rating: 10/10
L – Laslandes, Lilian – 7 caps for France, 3 goals. 12 appearances for Sunderland, 0 goals. Terrific French striker. Randomness Rating: 4/10
M – Manucho – Fergie doesn’t get many wrong but not sure this Angolan striker was ever going to worry his Premier League rivals. Couldn’t even make the Hull team whilst on loan there. Randomness Rating: 2/10
N – Negouai, Christian – Remember the days when Manchester City couldn’t afford to buy everyone on the planet? Well this is what they ended up with. 6 appearances in 4 years. Randomness Rating: 9/10
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O – Olisadebe, Emmanuel – The Nigerian-born Polish striker who discovered he had a heart defunct and could no longer play. Portsmouth still gave him 2 appearances in 2005/06 though. Randomness Rating: 5/10
P – Prica, Rade – A Roy Keane move this one, essentially proving why Keane is so well renowned for wasting his chairman’s money. He has won three different Scandinavian Championships though. Randomness Rating: 7/10
Q – Quaresma, Ricardo – The other Portuguese wizard of the dribble has played for top clubs all over Europe. But he was anonymous when on loan at Chelsea. Randomness Rating: 1/10
R – Rankin, Isaiah – Bradford City paid £1.3million for him to spearhead their Premiership strikeforce. Probably why they’re languishing around at the bottom of League 2 then. Randomness Rating: 8/10
S – Sava, Facundo – ‘The ma with the mask’ produced a famous Zorro celebration every time he scored. Unfortunately for Fulham fans, that just wasn’t enough. Randomness Rating: 6/10
T – Toda, Kazuyuki – Spurs went all Japanese for a season in an attempt to corner the Asian market for merchandising. No Park Ji-Sung though. Randomness Rating: 8/10
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U – Unsal, Hakan – Blackburn must have thought buying a Turkish defender who reached the World Cup semi-final would tighten their defence up considerably. It didn’t. Randomness Rating: 4/10
V – Vaz Te, Ricardo – 7 years at Bolton, just 58 appearances. The Portuguese striker was signed a wonderkid, but left as nobody. Did score for Barnsley last week though. Randomness Rating 5/10
W – Wapennaar, Harold – It’s no wonder Portsmouth are in dire financial straits given how many random signings they made during their stay in the Premiership. This Dutch goalkeeper made just 5 appearances. Randomness Rating: 8/10
X – Xisco – Another Newcastle blunder, they should stay well away from buying foreign stars. And this one cost £6million. Randomness Rating: 6/10
Y – Yordi – A journeyman Spanish striker was never going to fit the bill in the Premiership. Shipped in and shipped out. Randomness Rating: 7/10
Z – Zuniga, Ysrael – The second best Peruvian to play in the Premiership behind Nolberto Solano turned out for Coventry City. However, only 2 Peruvians have ever played in this division. Randomness Rating: 9/10
FIFA Presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hammam has called for new blood at the governing body as he continues his election campaign.Bin Hammam has been in South America, along with current President Sepp Blatter, at the South American Football Confederation, as they both look to gain support ahead of the vote on June 1.
And despite supporting Blatter in the past, Bin Hammam said it is time for change.
“I was with Blatter and I was honored to work as a member of the executive committee with him,” bin Hammam said.
“I supported him a lot, of course during 1998 and 2002. But, I think also, it is time for change , this is actually one thing I believe in. And I believe also the competition and democracy is something very good for our organization.”
The pair were guests were guests at CONMEBOL where both sat at the top table with federation president Nicolas Leoz.
And Blatter was confident that he would be getting Leoz’s backing.
“I want to congratulate the 62nd Congress of the South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL, especially Nicolas Leoz for his 25 years, also to the presidency that will continue these next four years,” Blatter said.
“I also want to thank this congress for its support of me to continue my mission in FIFA.”
CONMEBOL holds 10 of the 208 votes at the FIFA congress.
Blatter believes he has about 50 percent support from Africa and Asia and a majority in the rest of the world, but Bin Hammam believes the issue is not settled.
Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton pulled no punches after seeing his side beaten 2-1 at home by Stoke City.
The Magpies led 1-0 at the interval thanks to a Kevin Nolan penalty, but the Potters turned the game around after the restart and eventually emerged as deserved winners.
Hughton said afterwards:"We knew this was going to be a tough season and we knew it is a season where we are probably going to lose more games than we win.
"I am realistic enough to know where we are at this moment. We are a side that has just got promotion back up to this division.
"It would be nice for me to say that we will win more games than we will lose. That would see us in a very favourable position in the league, which would be nice, but I am realistic about where we are.
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"We are now playing in a lot tougher league than we were last season. We knew that there were going to be lows."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
The Daily Mail are reporting Manchester United are looking to add to their defensive options through the signing of Diacko Fofana.
The 17-year old, who broke into the Nice first team this season, is said to be under contract until 2015 and would command a transfer fee of £5 million.
With uncertainty over the right-back position for the long-term, Fofana is just one of a number of options Alex Ferguson has been looking at to replace the retired Gary Neville.
The teenager made his debut for the Ligue 1 side in their 1-0 loss to Montpellier and although he won’t be ready just yet for the United first team; Fergie is looking for defensive reinforcements and provide further back to Rafael Da Silva and the versatile Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
As well as the Nice right-back, Alex Ferguson has also been looking to Crystal Palace’s Nathanial Clyne and PSV’s Jetro Willems in recent weeks as the Scot looks to add some depth to his United squad.
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Tottenham’s hopes of Champions League success now hinges on them finishing in the top four this season. It is a mammoth task that faces Harry’s men, after yet more points thrown away this afternoon, although Spurs are never known for making life easy for themselves.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs that includes the right transfer for Tottenham; summer cull what Harry needs, while Tottenham have every right to feel frustrated.
We also look at the best Spurs articles around the web this week.
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The Greatest Premier League Goals Of All Time…YOU DECIDE!
SIX things we learnt from the North London Derby?
Transfer links with Tottenham and Liverpool the real reason for the demise?
Will UEFA initiative ensure equality for all football clubs?
The right transfer deal for Tottenham Hotspur?
Is streamlining at Spurs such a bad idea?
Tottenham’s top TEN ‘Bogey-Men’
WHL or Old Trafford – who represents the best move for Diego?
Why Tottenham have every right to feel frustrated
What actually makes a BIG club then?
Harry and Fergie go head-to-head for Ajax star
*Best of Web*
Great game for the neutrals – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2
One of the Great Derbies – Tottenham On My Mind
Do you think that’s wise, Spurs? – Martin Cloake Online
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The Stupendous Adventures of Gareth Bale – Dear Mr Levy
The Clive Allen & Aunty Wengy Caption Comepetition – Harry Hotspur
After being touted as the man to replace Xabi Alonso, Liverpool’s £18 million singing Alberto Aquilani has returned to Italy. The midfielder has joined Juventus on a season-long loan after enduring a difficult year in which he started only nine Premier League games. An ankle injury delayed his anticipated PL debut to October. Niggling injuries, his substantial price-tag and reputation all combined to be too much for the former Roma man. But as a takeover of Liverpool seems increasingly unlikely and doubts persist over Javier Mascherano’s future and Lucas Leiva’s quality, was there not room for Aquilani this season? Roy Hodgson could not guarantee Aquilani regular first-team football but with his aptitude for improving players, could he not have restored his fortunes?
The 26-year old joined Liverpool from his boyhood club Roma last summer where he made 102 performances, scoring nine goals. He prospered after returning from a loan spell at Trieste and working with Fabio Capello. ‘The King of Rome,’ Francesco Totti had this to say about the ‘Little Prince:’ “Alberto is an incredibly talented player, with great technique and an excellent understanding of the game. He is elegant and smart.” These desirable characteristics saw Aquilani become an increasingly important component in the Roma team, scoring long range efforts and displaying his creative passing.
These qualities were not lost on the former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez who claimed that the player would have been more expensive if he had not be recuperating from an ankle injury. After failing to live up to expectations, is this a classic case of an Italian being unable to acclimatise to the physical demands of the English game? Earlier this year, Benitez appeared to lose patience with his pricey signing. “Some players maybe can manage with the pain, but some cannot.” The Spaniard hinted that the player’s persistent ankle problems were partially physiological. This could explain why Aquilani never flourished in the role that was ear-marked for him. Replacing Alonso was always going to be an uphill struggle and would require confidence, passion and determination to settle into an all-round central midfield role.
By moving forward to support a lone striker in the hole, fans started to see what the initial fuss was about. Freed from defensive responsibilities he was able to concentrate on his imaginative, passing game supporting the attack through neat, incisive touches. Astoundingly the Italian set up a goal every 136 minutes last season which was the best assist rate across Europe’s top five leagues. Furthermore he scored with an accurate half-volleyed finish in Liverpool’s Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Yet he only played 26 times last season and these were mostly substitute appearances.
Notwithstanding his precocious talent Aquilani is viewed by many as another name in Benitez’s long list of failed signings. This is arguably an unfair portrayal of a player whose position was unclear and found his playing opportunities circumscribed. Although used in pre-season Roy Hodgson sanctioned his return to Serie A. “It gives him the football he needs and protects the value of the player. We’re doing it with a view to bringing him back.” Aquilani’s Anfield career may not be finished but with Mascherano unsettled and further signings doubtful, could the club have not used his talents this season? It is a sensible and pragmatic move by Hodgson but his team’s deficiencies were ruthlessly exposed by Manchester City on Monday. The evidence suggests that Liverpool need all the help they can get from their squad this season.
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Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he is fit and available for selection for his side’s game against West Brom on Tuesday night.
The England international has been unavailable for Harry Redknapp’s men recently due to a hamstring injury, but played 20 minutes in the North London club’s 1-1 draw with Swansea at the weekend.
Defoe is raring to go, and hopes he will get a chance to play against Roy Hodgson’s men.
“I missed three games in a short space of time,” he told the club’s official website.
“No-one wants to get injured, it was a hamstring, quite minor, but I have to be careful, especially with the way I play. I’ve no problems now and I’m ready to go.
“West Brom
have only had one full day’s rest, so that could play a part, especially with the intensity of the Premier League.
“Every game is massive, every game is like a cup final and we need to get the points to stay up there.
“Everyone is beating everyone this season and we have to win to stay up there.
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“I can’t wait for 2012 to get going. Hopefully I’ll get a chance on Tuesday and do my stuff,” he concluded.