Veteran defender Sol Campbell looks set to sign for Newcastle United ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 35-year-old former England international had been in talks with both Sunderland and Celtic alongside Arsenal where he ended last season.
However, he appears to have settled on the Magpies where he is now expected to sign a one-year contract at St James' Park.
Campbell arrived in the north-east on Tuesday morning prior to a medical before being confirmed as manager Chris Hughton's third signing of the summer.
Hughton has added utility man James Perch and former Everton full-back Dan Gosling to his ranks in recent weeks.
However, with first-choice centre-back Steven Taylor struggling with a shoulder injury ahead of the new campaign, the current squad is short on numbers at the back.
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"If I look at what we've got at this moment, defence is probably the area where we're a little bit light," admitted Hughton on Monday.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson was full of praise for England midfielder Joe Cole, after he made a fine debut for the Reds in the 2-0 home win over Rabotnicki in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Cole lasted the full 90 minutes at Anfield and Hodgson was delighted with the former Chelsea man's performance.
He told the club's official website:"His energy and enthusiasm meant he had a really good home debut.
"Joe is desperate to play. He came here because he thought he might get the opportunity to start more games than he did at Chelsea.
"He is a very enthusiastic, effervescent footballer who the more he plays, the happier he is. He is the type of player who wants to play every minute of every game.
"Whether that is going to be possible is another matter, but it's a good quality to have.
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"Joe can play a lot of positions, but it is going to be a question of where we need him most and how he will fit in best with us and the rest of the players.
"When you have got a player of his quality, you work hard to get him on the field and you put him on the field in a position where he is going to best serve the team."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
If his players still perform, then it appears that Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t care less about what they do away from the pitch. As long as it doesn’t affect their performance, then apparently they can be as free and easy as they so desire. Ancelotti said:
“I’m not interested in the private life of my players. It’s not involved in our job. I think private life has to be private life. John Terry was able to keep his private problem outside of the training ground, and for that reason he remained captain of Chelsea.”
Does he have a point? Certainly in terms of a boss of a group of employees, their private life should be irrelevant. If they continue to do their job to a level that is satisfactory to their bosses, then that is as far as the issue goes within that environment. The area becomes a murkier shade of grey with professional footballers because they are in the public eye, and considered role models, especially to impressionable children.
On a personal level, I decided a long time ago that my opinion of footballers as people, and how I follow them on the pitch were two different things. I am under the impression that I would have very little in common with most players and probably wouldn’t get on with them very well, but that doesn’t mean I don’t will them to do well on the pitch (I should stress this all depends on the individual and the team they play for).
For example, as a Chelsea fan, I count my lucky stars that we have Ashley Cole, who, no arguments please, is the best left-back in the world. I also however, think he is pretty moronic, and believe that he has truly messed up a good thing in regards to his marriage and personal life. It doesn’t stop me wanting him to do well for Chelsea and England, and if he chooses to live his life in that way, then that is his choice to make.
I also don’t believe – perhaps slightly naively – that there are vast numbers of young men who live their personal lives in homage to Rooney, Cole and Terry. People have their own morals, and don’t do things because Wayne Rooney says it’s ok. I don’t know if the recent allegations about Wayne Rooney’s infidelity are true or not, and I’m not that bothered either way, partly because my name is not Coleen, but mainly because it has no personal effect on my life.
The moment that John Terry’s form dipped during the media furore last season, was the moment I started being bothered by the whole situation, and the moment I felt like I had been wronged in some way. I can even remember thinking we were going to lose out on the league as a result, thanks to that outing at Goodison Park, when Terry had one of his worst games in a Chelsea shirt. Am I being selfish, maybe a little.
I don’t think I am alone. Most fans want their team to do as well as possible at all costs. After last weekend’s stories about Wayne Rooney, people will either not believe them, or ignore them. Very few fans of Rooney will have changed their opinion of the man over the last week. If you asked England fans whether they would have wanted Rooney to be dropped for the game against Switzerland, the silence would have been deafening.
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Midfielder Tim Cahill believes a first win of the Premier League season is just around the corner for an improving Everton.
The Toffees saw their winless run stretch to six games following a goalless draw with Fulham last weekend.
David Moyes’ side face Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Saturday and Cahill believes it is only a matter of time before results begin to mirror performances.
“We would have loved to have got our first win but it obviously just makes us hungrier now,” he told the Liverpool Daily Post.
“We knew how tough it was going to be especially with our position in the table which put more pressure on the game.”
Speaking about the resumption of his strike partnership with Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Cahill added:“We started off really bright and sharp and it’s been a while since I have had a chance to play up front with him.
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“We played well and had a few chances and got close to scoring. The football was positive.”
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Newcastle United’s prestigious number nine shirt is currently in the ownership of Andy Carroll and it is not an object to take complacently or to treat whimsically. I can only hope that he doesn’t do so, for he holds such promise in the way he plays the game. He possesses a great deal of raw ability that could be moulded into making him a formidable striker. The only negatives, of which they are significant, come in the form of his private affairs. Only today did Carroll have to attend a court hearing over a previous incident involving his now ex-girlfriend. This now equates to two court appearances and an alleged training ground fight with Steven Taylor, the latter coming off worse, all very much baleful behaviour that doesn’t bode well for his future affairs. His mentality is obviously one that doesn’t reason possible consequences through, or maybe he does and he isn’t troubled over the consequences due to his profession as a football player. Either way, he still finds himself in these disreputable scenarios, having to deal with the criticisms that come with it. What he needs now is to be taken aside and, almost, restrained into concentrating on improving as a player. He holds so much potential, having been blessed with a domineering physical presence, that it needs channelling in the correct way.
Like many young players that emerge in an eruption of media attention, it is easily removed in the next few weeks when the same performances that earned the attention in the first place seem to diminish. This shouldn’t deter Carroll in any way or form due to what he has shown and this can be rekindled with dedicated training, the right mentality and experienced mentoring. Like many strikers, form is determined by confidence, which is why at present there isn’t any need to dismiss Carroll’s form or potential. Having scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa the media were quick to champion him for an England call-up, but when England are lacking in-form strikers, this could have be seen as inevitable.
What Chris Hughton and his backroom staff now have the tricky task to implement is to find the delicate balance for Carroll that will allow him to use his natural aggression but not sprint aimlessly across the pitch and lose his position that sees him at his most effective. To remove Carroll’s aggressive nature would be to negate what makes him as a player; it would merely be a utilization of this willing effort he represents. Carroll will also have to respond and not be obdurate if those around him feel that something in his game needs to be rectified. I have no doubt that an England debut will come soon and be one of many if Carroll can organise his affairs. The road to perdition will await Carroll if he continues to behave in the manner he has exhibited off the pitch, but the road to salvation and cult status remain a possibility if he is prepared to harness his raw abilities, add invaluable goals to his repertoire and keep these consistent.
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Chief football administer Brian Marwood has admitted Manchester City are unlikely to repeat the massive spending spree they embarked upon during the summer.
City spent an estimated £120million on a host of big-name players before, during and after the World Cup finals.
Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov, James Milner and Mario Balotelli all arrived at Eastlands during a busy summer transfer window.
But on the same day that the club's Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour returned to the top of English football's rich list, Marwood has suggested that the days of big spending at Eastlands are over.
"Now the intensity of signing players is levelling off, allowing this group to build and develop – they haven't gelled yet," he told The Guardian.
"We have fast-tracked a lot. We need to put the structure in place. We talk about elite development, the academy, because that is the foundation. That is the future for Manchester City."
Meanwhile, Marwood has rejected criticism of City's transfer policy since Sheikh Mansour began his ambitious reign two years ago.
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"You have to chuckle to yourself," he continued.
"We were criticised for supposedly ruining English football by bringing foreign players in, then when the England team finished the last game against Switzerland, six City players were in it. That was a big jolt to a lot of people."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes must shoulder the blame for gifting the Red Devils their clinching goal in Saturday's 2-0 win at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian shot-stopper bowled the ball out of his hands anticipating a free-kick after Nani had handled in the penalty area.
But referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on after Nani's indiscretion and the Portuguese winger rolled the ball into the empty net.
The whistler allowed the goal to stand, much to Spurs' disgust but Ferguson insists the keeper should have known better.
"It was bizarre," he said."No-one knew at the time what was wrong. One minute the goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and the next it's in his net.
"Nani looked back and looked at the referee and the referee said play on, so what can he do but put the ball in the net.
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"You can look at the referee and look at the linesmen and blame them, but the goalkeeper should know better. He's an experienced goalkeeper. I thought he made a mess of it.
"The referee played on because the goalkeeper took possession of the ball. He then went to take a free-kick thinking it was a foul. He made an error."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
It was raining goals in the Premier League yesterday with no fewer than 36 hitting the onion bag. We can only hope that we will see much of the same at White Hart Lane and St James’ Park this afternoon, in what promises to be a feast of football.
In the papers this morning we have seen a mixed bag of stories including an exclusive interview with Gareth Bale; Michael Carrick wants a contract for life at Old Trafford, while Andy Carroll wants to make the headlines for all the right reasons and much more…
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Ivanovic admits Wilkins shock – Sky Sports
Harry Redknapp’s strength is to let his players enjoy themselves – Guardian
Newcastle’s Carroll wants to make headlines for the right reasons – Daily Mail
Gareth Bale Exclusive Interview – Mirror
Michael Carrick desperate to stay at Manchester United – IM Scouting
Liverpool line up swoop for Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano – IM Scouting
Roy Hodgson deserves better than this – Guardian
England 2018’s late bid for votes – Daily Telegraph
Hiddink sheds some light on the monkey business at Chelsea – Mirror
Arsenal to make £10m bid for Bolton’s Gary Cahill – IM Scouting
Grant opens door for Di Canio – Sky Sports
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Arnesen’s departure will leave Ancelotti isolated – Daily Telegraph
Blackburn return home to Ewood Park shell shocked after their mauling at the hands of new Premier League leaders, Manchester United. Sam Allardyce will have done very well to clear the performance from the minds’ of his players.
Wolves were only minutes from another frustrating defeat against Sunderland last weekend, before a late double prevented Mick McCarthy’s men settling at the bottom of the Premier League table. Wolves still need points desperately and whilst back to back wins may drive them out of the relegation zone, it is hard not to see this game as a potential relegation six pointer.
It must be remembered that Rovers have a very strong home record- it is this that has kept them in the league over the past two seasons. Wolves will come to play, and will not park the proverbial bus. This may well be a decent game plan with Blackburn’s potentially fragile mental state- how they respond should they go a goal down will be key to the outcome.
Prediction: 1-0
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With Edin Dzeko set to move to Manchester City, Emmanuel Adebayor’s first team opportunities will be even more limited than they already are at Eastlands. Tottenham, West Ham and even Real Madrid have been linked with the 26 year old, but Sky Sports believe that Liverpool have also enquired about the services of the striker. Considering his high wages and a big fee that would be demanded, a move to the Reds would most probably be a temporary loan until the end of the season. With the Reds needing a striker, it seems an interesting prospect, but is Adebayor the type of player Liverpool need at the moment?
To some extent it is actually disappointing that a move from Manchester City to Liverpool is a possibility. After all, in years gone by, City would have seen the Reds as rivals at the top of the table but with the Manchester club 14 points ahead of Liverpool, and with the Reds all but out of the race for a top four spot, let alone the Premier League title, City obviously feel that the Merseyside club are no longer a big enough threat, to allow some of their players to leave for Anfield.
It is kind of dispiriting to see Liverpool being constantly linked with other Premier League club’s rejects but with while we lie in mid table; we must at least consider some of these options. The prospect of Adebayor at Anfield is a difficult one to debate. On the hand, Liverpool are in desperate need of a striker and somebody like Adebayor who has a good aerial presence and can hold up the ball would be an excellent addition to the team. He would certainly prove a better choice than Carlton Cole. As well as being a good foil for Fernando Torres, he would also contribute his fair share of goals, taking the onus off Steven Gerrard and Torres.
These are the positives but Emmanuel Adebayor certainly has a great many negatives as well. He is perceived as a somewhat disruptive figure in the dressing rooms at both Arsenal and City. At the Gunners, Arsene Wenger seemed to be pretty willing to let him go for £25million to City, despite his undoubted ability, while in Manchester, even as recently as today, he was rumoured to have had a training ground bust up with Kolo Toure.
Especially with Liverpool in as difficult times as they are at the moment, would adding the 26 year old to an already down dressing room be a good idea? With some of the players seemingly low on confidence as they are, would the combination of this and the notoriously confrontational Adebayor be a good mix? The striker is prone to having arguments with team-mates at the best of times, but if things are going poorly, won’t frustrations boil over even more?
In Liverpool’s current mid-table position, they certainly need players with his ability, but they also need players with the right attitude. Hopefully, if a move was made for Adebayor, the striker would come here to be positive and prove the doubters at City wrong. He could become a very good signing, but with the 26 year old, there is always the other possibility and that he could lower team spirit in a team that really needs to be high on morale at the moment. Do the pros outweigh the cons for you?
Read more of David’s blogs at his excellent site Live4Liverpool
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