Arsenal are reportedly ‘in advanced talks’ with Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila over a summer transfer, according to Metro.
Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer of the France international, who he believes will add to the club’s options in the centre of the park.
M’Vila has gained rave reviews for star performances for club and country, and it is believed that Wenger has stepped up his efforts to bring the 21-year-old to the Emirates due to interest from Inter and Bayern Munich.
Despite having three years left on his contract with the Ligue 1 club, his current employers are resigned to losing their star man to a bigger fish come the summer.
A move will not come cheap however, and Rennes have valued the midfielder at £22 million, which would shatter the north London club’s existing transfer record.
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We may unfurl the back pages of the newspaper to find out about a sublime piece of skill, an against the odds triumph or a man of the match performance but most seasons, far too often we experience an uglier side to the game and a so-called darker side. The English league campaign is an enduring one spanning ten months of the year and understandably in that time a lot of and controversial incidences and video nasty’s rear their ugly head in that time span. Add in the prevalence of European ties as well and you have an unprecedented number of games for unsavoury instances to unfortunately slip into the fabric of the football season.
This year we have seen crazy score lines, shock results and more exciting attacking play than ever before, but at times we have also been left with a bitter taste in our mouth at some of the more unsavoury elements shaping the campaign; some even justifiably greater than the game itself. Diving has been a factor receiving airtime recently and issues of player power and ruthless ownership have only contributed to a fathomable widening of the relationship between supporters and their respective clubs.
Additionally and unsurprisingly, the match day officials have too been at the centre of unpleasant occurrence’s and anger, groans and sighs have again painted the picture for FIFA’s delusional rejection to embrace the emergence of goal line video technology after some refereeing howlers. So without giving too much more away, let us embark on the top ten unsavoury moments this English football season.
Click on Andre Villas-Boas to unveil the top 10
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What is your most unsavoury moment from the current campaign? Let me know @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989
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Manchester City have been crowned as Premier League champions, after two late goals dramatically gave them their first top-flight title since 1968.
Going into the last day Roberto Mancini’s men were locked on points with rivals Manchester United, but due to a superior goal difference only had to beat QPR at home to win the league.
The Red Devils knew that they had to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light to stand any chance, and a Wayne Rooney header gave them a 1-0 lead in the first-half, which they held onto until full-time.
At the Etihad Stadium Pablo Zabaleta gave the Citizens the lead against Rangers, but two quick-fire goals from Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie gave the relegation-threatened Londoners the lead.
Despite Joey Barton being sent-off, Mark Hughes’ men held onto their 2-1 advantage until injury time, when strikes from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero dramatically snatched the title away from United’s grasp.
Roberto Mancini was overjoyed in the aftermath of the last-gasp win, and feels that his side deserved to be crowned champions.
“It was incredible – they deserved this,” Mancini told Sky Sports.
“To win it like this is incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a finale like this. We didn’t deserve to lose, we had a lot of chances and we deserved to win the game and championship.
“It’s fantastic for the club and the supporters after 44 years. It’s been a crazy season and a crazy last minute,” he confessed.
Sir Alex Ferguson was very gracious in accepting second place, and congratulated United’s cross-town rivals.
“We’ve had some great moments. We’ve won the title three times on the last day, so today we nearly did it,” he admitted.
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“I would like to say on behalf of Manchester United congratulations to our neighbours. It’s a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League. It’s the hardest league in the world and anyone who wins it deserves it.”
West Ham have offered former Real Madrid midfielder Guti a pre-season trial according to The Sun.
The Spanish midfielder spent the bulk of his career at the Santiago Bernabeu, before moving to Turkish side Besiktas; he is currently available on a free transfer.
Sam Allardyce is set to bring Guti on the Upton Park side’s pre-season tour of Austria, and if the 35-year-old can prove his fitness and ability will be offered a two-year deal with the newly-promoted side.
Agent Barry O’Connor looks after the playmaker’s affairs in England, and has revealed that the decision will be in the Hammers’ hands.
“West Ham will make a final decision before the next season starts. I cannot discuss what terms could be offered,” he stated.
Guti won 15 trophies in his time with Real Madrid, including three Champions League crowns.
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As a select group of mid-range Australian soap actors have been telling us for over 25 years now, everybody needs good neighbours. In football, however, it is a message often unheeded. You will never find Brazil doing Argentina any favours, nor will England and Scotland every lay their Home-Nations hostilities to rest. Spain and Portugal will engagle battle for regional supremacy at Euro 2012, yet any neighbourly courtesy that may have been forged in the last few years will evaporate as a shot at Europe’s biggest prize beckons.
Occupiers of that same vibrant and varying Iberian peninsula, the histories of Spain and Portugal naturally intertwine. Just as an argument with an overly noisy neighbour and the subsequent attempts at reconciliation are inevitable, so to do the relations between the two hit dips and peaks as history progresses. Expansive powers from the 15th Century onwards, territorial power battles defined the relationship as both fought tit-for-tat for colonial dominance well into the 1800’s, with the near 30-year long Portuguese Restoration War of the 17th Century marking a null in relations.
As much in football as in diplomacy, the history of the relationship is marked by notable similarities despite the glaring rivalry. Both crumpled as global powers with the loss of colonies at the same time; both persisted with right-wing dictatorships in the aftermath of World War Two which submitted to democracy and liberalisation at roughly the same time.
One offshoot of dictatorship would be the the pouring of resources into each nation’s capital clubs in search of increasing national pride through football. Real Madrid and Benfica emerged as benefactors of this, controlling the early years of competitive European football: Benfica becoming the first side to break Madrid’s dominance of the European Cup with two successive victories and three more finals in the 1960’s. Both clubs would suffer a lean spell in Europe as political unrest saw a period of transition ensue. Madrid, of course, would recover to become Europe’s leading superpower, whilst Benfica have failed to recapture their early promise – another startling parallel which can be seen in the fortunes of their respective national teams.
Whilst the clubs of Portugal and Spain have been salient forces in the formative years of European football and beyond, the two national sides have regularly failed to imprint an impact upon the international game in the same way.
Until Spain’s emergence as the all-conquering force of international football, their only previous success had come at the European Championship of 1964, whilst Portugal’s greatest achievement was flunking to Greece on home soil at Euro 2004.
Meetings between the two have largely mirrored their parallel fortunes. Spain largely hold the upper hand overall, though in contemporary times Portugal have been seen to begining to exert greater control over the Iberian Peninsula.
At the aforementioned Euros of 2004, hosts Portugal battled their way to a first victory in 23 years over the Spanish, Nuno Gomes’ goal seeing his side through whilst simultaneously confirming the elimination of an underperforming Spain. It appeared to be a new dawn for Portuguese football; finally the chance to seek retribution over their old rivals after years of secondary status.
La Roja would, of course, put any such assumptions to bed in due course. Having at last thrown off the shackles of years of underachievement at Euro 2008, Spain went to South Africa in 2010 in search of greater glory. The first of four successive 1-0 victories en route, Spain saw off Portugal in the Round of 16, David Villa ensuring Portugal’s early flurry of missed chances did not go unpunished.
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After a string of tense, tight affairs in previous year, just four months after Spain’s historic victory in South Africa they were quickly humbled by the Portuguese. In a Lisbon friendly, a full strength Spain were largely humiliated 4-0 by a pernicious Portugal, suggesting once more that a constantly shifting power battle was once going through another stage of adjustment.
Marked by a curious mix of similarity and disparity, the two political, cultural and footballing histories run along comparative lines yet the desire to dominate the Iberian Peninsula is one which prevents any form of apathy breaking loose. Though Spain has managed to throw off their underachiever tags, previously they had mirrored Portugal’s position as nearly-men, potential unfulfilled.
Portugal still carry with them the ghosts of Eusebio and of 2004, of what could have been. The time has come for Portugal to again reverse the tides of Iberian fortune, in the same way they have strived to do so for centuries: what better way to do so than against their neighbours?
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Friday 13th is not a favoured date in any annual calendar; its connotations represent a day of peril and disaster. It subjugates its believers to a day of fear and apprehension, with many wondering if any credence can be given to the unlucky notoriety that this date signifies. In reality, Friday 13th July was an indication of the chasm of respect that separates football from any other sport. In Westminster, England, current Chelsea and former England Captain John Terry had just been acquitted of racial abuse toward QPR’s Anton Ferdinand. Meanwhile in Annonay Davézieux, France, Cyclist Bradley Wiggins retains the acclaimed yellow jersey and reinforces his place at the top of the leader board, where he remained until the Tour de France climax. While one of these moments is considered among the greatest sporting achievements in recent memory by a Briton, the other is considered a damning day for English football and left a sour taste in the mouths of everyone involved in the sport. This comparison is not an isolated incident. On many occasions, legends and heroes are labelled to competitors in other sports, while footballers are publically shamed, with incidents of unprofessionalism that are reported more frequently than selfless, heroic endeavours. With David Beckham carrying the metaphorical torch as English footballs current ‘legend’, a successor may need to be found before ‘Golden Balls’ hangs up his boots and fades into playing retirement.
It seems that even the once prolific, respected footballers have their demons that are eventually uncovered and dragged around publically for all to see; a Braveheart style humiliation. While Sir Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis and Victoria Pendleton are all sports men and women who are respected and considered talisman for the forthcoming Olympics, the captain of the GB men’s football team is Ryan Giggs, a man who is no stranger to negative press. Despite his remarkable feats in his trade, the Welshman will always have a blotted stain on his career after the infamous super injunction scandal and subsequent demonising by the press. This is an indication that even the most glorified of footballers from our land, will never live up to the heroic statuses of the less condemned athletes. However, with the financial reward that football hands to its prominent stars, is it any wonder that legendary status is no longer applicable to a sport that many feel is occupied by egocentric, overpaid players?
For many, humility is a key factor in the make-up of a sporting legend. While there are many players who display humbleness to their character, the fact that most recognisable footballers earn nonsensical amounts of cash, makes them unable to be considered unpretentious, regardless of their personality traits. This makes it hard for footballers to announce themselves as legends or role models nowadays. However, despite their pre-judgement that they cannot escape from, the beautiful game is drenched with scandal and misbehaviour from its players. From weekly occurrences such as simulation on the field to more deeply worrying issues such as racism scandals and adultery claims, football is never out of the media spotlight. If Cycling had as much media coverage as football does, would stories be uncovered that would shame its sporting participants? If Cricket reached the obsessive levels of support that football draws in, would players be shamed and no longer considered legendary?
Regardless of this, football is the most popular sport in this country by some distance. Many young stars of the future look up to these shamed players as role models. Without sounding like an irate Grandfather moaning about modern day music, some footballers need to look at the considered greats of the game and take a page or five out of their book. However, this may never happen, especially considering the vast sums of money that are earned within the sport alongside the pressures of playing in the Premier League.
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West Ham are expected to make a final £9 million offer to Wolves for the services of midfielder, Matt Jarvis, according to Daily Telegraph reports.
The 26-year-old has told manager Stale Solbakken that he is ready for a new challenge, but the Black Country club have already rejected bids of £3.5 million and £6 million from West Ham.
Jarvis was one of the regular starters in Wolves’ dismal 2011/12 campaign, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances as they plummeted back to the Championship.
It is understood that the Hammers will not be held to ransom, having made it clear that £9 million is their limit.
Jarvis missed the Capital One Cup tie with Aldershot due to sickness, but has now recovered enough to be considered for the opening Championship match away at Leeds.
Wolves are also clinging on to the services of Scotland international, Steven Fletcher, with Sunderland failing after three bids to take the forward to Wearside.
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Sat in the pub for the majority of the weekend, once the clock hit 3pm something happened that a vast number of us have been waiting for all summer. Jeff Stelling appeared on the big screen flanked by his usual Soccer Saturday chums and what is normal service was resumed.
Whether it was Merson fluffing his lines or Kammy failing to realise that the camera was on him and staring into oblivious space, it was so good to see them back, and we were even treated to a Stelling special during the Hartlepool match.
It has been a long and hard summer, despite the fact that we were spoilt by the wealth of sport on the TV, but even with this some of us had resorted to what can only be described as scraping the barrel in order to fill our time. After confessing to a group of people at the bar I had been at such a lose end I started watching Gossip Girl – I know I have hung my head in shame over this – a middle aged man let slip that he had been watching his daughter’s box set of The OC. Clearly the Premier League is not back a moment too soon.
The opening weekend provided thrills and spills, with a cracking performance from promoted Southampton, who despite failing to get any points, should they play like that week in week out, they will surely avoid the drop. Chelsea made a decent start, yet Arsenal faltered in front of goal, and Liverpool flopped dramatically.
There was a horrible injury to star man Aguero which has left City fans worrying themselves sick along with coming to terms with the fact their club is never going to change, no matter how much money the club have or world class players they will still put fans through the wringer and leave it late to get those results.
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There are more talking points than we have been privy to all summer and the amount of coverage in the media and on the TV has made us feel truly spoilt after a long and lonely summer. The good news is that the Champions League hasn’t even really started yet and the season always heats up the longer it goes on – after all a season is 38 games in the Premier League and even more in the Championship, and we have only been treated to one so far. Plenty more where that came from, and how grateful we are about that.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said that he is currently happy at Old Trafford despite feeling down at the club sometimes.
The 26-year-old England ace, who is currently serialising his latest autobiography for The Mirror, admits that sometimes it can be tough maintaining the high standards at United,
“As a centre-forward for Manchester United, there’s no place to hide. I’ve got to work as hard as I can, otherwise the manager will haul me off the pitch or drop me for the next game.”
Rooney admitted that he received a wake-up call when he was told off by Sir Alex Ferguson following a Boxing Day victory against Wigan last season:
“We stuff Wigan 5-0 on Boxing Day. I go out for dinner with a few of the lads and their other halves, to a hotel. The next day, the manager pulls me up and tells me I’m not happy and doesn’t feel that I’ve trained properly. He fines me, but there’s worse to come. I’m dropped for the next game, on New Year’s Eve, against Blackburn.”
Rooney, who is currently out for a month after wounding his leg in Manchester United’s 3-2 victory over Fulham last month, said that his body is not as robust as it once was:
“physically I’ve taken a bit of a battering over the years; being lumped by Transformer-sized centre-backs or having my muscles smashed by falls, shoulder-barges and last-ditch tackles, day in, day out, has left me a bit bruised.”
The latest Rooney autobiography is the third of five publications on the life of the lad from Liverpool. The first of Rooney’s publications, My Story So Far, which was released shortly after the 2006 World Cup, caused much controversy after Rooney released excerpts of the autobiography to the Daily Mail, accusing Everton manager David Moyes of leaking the details as to why he wanted to leave the Toffees in the press. As a consequence, Rooney was sued by Moyes and had to pay the Everton boss £500,000 in damages and write a formal apology.
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Rooney is expected to make his return for the Red Devils at home to Tottenham on September 29th.
With the season nearly here and the summer transfer window in full swing, people are more obsessed by footballers than ever, both on and off the field than ever. Whilst we can tell exactly who they are on the field (mainly due to the name on the back of their shirt), off the field, should they wish to do so, it is entirely possible to lead a gossip and drama-free life – as players such as Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have shown us.
However, with more and more young footballers being pictured more often than not in the front pages as opposed to the back ones, people are hungrier than ever for gossip about players. They would have you believe that a modern day footballer is the very portrait of excess, what with the flashy cars and excessive bling on show. Whilst this does seem a tad unfair, it cannot be denied that there are a good few things we now link to footballers and could spot them a mile off if they are exhibiting more than a couple of them. Let’s take a look at the top ten signs that you are in the company of a Premier League footballer…
Click on Ireland’s Tattoo below to see the Top TEN