Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has lifted the lid on Mario Balotelli after admitting he and the rest of his squad are still coming to terms with the controversial striker’s erratic behaviour.
The Manchester City forward scored his second International goal against Republic of Ireland on Monday but a typically emotive response has been criticised by the Italian public and he’s yet to fully convince them after unpredictable performances against Spain and Croatia.
According to the Independent Prandelli is still trying to assess his conduct.
“I have no idea if he was giving vent to his feelings about being named on the bench for the Ireland game.
“I don’t know if the words were directed at me and I haven’t asked him about it because I don’t want to spoil the moment for him. But his 20 minutes against Ireland were his best of the tournament.”
Prandelli’s pragmatic approach is centred on keeping Balotelli grounded because he knows how vital the forward can be if he remains focused and doesn’t destabilise the team’s harmony with his petulance.
“The spirit of the squad is important.
“All the players here have to give it their all. Nobody in our team wishes him ill; he has to understand that we are here to help him become a true champion.
“Look, Mario is a golden boy but he has to make a real jump in quality if he is going to become a champion. He has got to learn to accept criticism or a place on the bench – and, if he doesn’t, the squad is going to become a little more closed off to him.”
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres says he has settled at his new club and is ready to kick-start his career at Stamford Bridge.The Spanish forward endured a miserable four months after his 50 million-pound move from English Premier League rivals Liverpool in January, during which time he scored just one goal in 18 appearances.
After winning the 2010 World Cup with Spain, Torres’ 10 goals in the 2010/11 campaign was well down on his previous seasons.
But he is eyeing a return to the form that made him one of the league’s best strikers.
“It was a difficult four months for me last season but now I am settled and really happy,” he said on Monday.
“It’s a new start for me and I am feeling sharper and fitter.”
The 27-year-old implied that fatigue from several consecutive years of non-stop football had taken its toll, as he spoke happily of enjoying some long-awaited rest this summer.
“After five years without a break I could finally enjoy my holiday this summer so I am happier after a rest and some time with my family,” he said.
“Now I am feeling good and ready to start the new season.”
After a superb performance and result against title rivals Chelsea on Monday night, Arsenal once again failed to beat a smaller team in the Premier League. Arsene Wenger felt the need to make EIGHT changes to the Gunners line-up tonight, which had a number of fans scratching their heads in bewilderment (including myself).
Arsenal fell behind after referee Lee Probert awarded Wigan a penalty which Ben Watson converted. Having gone behind, Arsenal (as usual) awoke and struck back with two goals through Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner before the end of the first half. The Gunners were not playing well by any means, but they had their noses in front. Their win percentage grew after Charles N’Zogbia was sent off following a head-butt on Jack Wilshere in the 77th minute. From that point, it seemed like Arsenal were on their way to bag the three points, unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Arsenal’s defensive frailties were once again visible after failing to clear a corner which resulted in Sebastien Squillaci heading the ball into his own net.
We came away with a 2-2 draw, but I for one knew that Arsenal were going to struggle due to Wenger’s team selection. The overall performance was nowhere near the one they displayed on Monday night and to the fans frustrations (including my own), Arsenal have once again failed to take advantage of Manchester United’s dropped points.
So I ask my fellow Arsenal fans: what are the five things we learnt about the Gunners last night?
Read more Arsenal blogs at the NEW Gunnersphere website
Newcastle have signed French midfielder Romain Amalfitano from Stade de Reims.
The 22-year-old joins the Tyneside club on a free transfer after his contract in his homeland expires, and will be officially unveiled on July 1st.
Amalfitano is the younger brother of France international Morgan, and is widely regarded as an exciting prospect for the future.
He was part of the Reims side that won promotion from Ligue 2 to the top flight this term, and is looking forward to getting started at his new club.
“I am very happy to be a Newcastle player. I have seen a bit of the city already and it is a change from France but one I am really looking forward to,” he told the club’s official website.
“When a club like Newcastle wants you to play for them it can only be a good thing. I have taken the opportunity to play in the Premier League and cannot wait to get going.”
Newcastle are reportedly looking at other targets from France, after the purchases of Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye have been overwhelming successes.
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As the new season draws ever closer, thoughts already begin to turn towards who will be in the running at both ends of the table come next May. Sir Alex Ferguson has already been made to field questions over who will be the strongest challengers this season, and he trotted out the same stock answer of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool… and Manchester City?
This is the same manager who for the past two seasons has written City off as title contenders, dismissed their plans for financial domination and described them as a, “small club with a small mentality.” Ouch.
So why the change of tune? Well, Sir Alex was unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a defeat which has apparently ignited Mancini’s men, being the 1-0 semi-final defeat at Wembley in April. This enabled the Eastlands club to head back to London and win their first major trophy for 35 years, and Ferguson believes this is the spark that they needed to go on and challenge for more.
But is the Manchester United manager right to fear his (geographically) closest rivals?
Let’s look at last season. If ever there was a chance to usurp their trophy-laden rivals it would have been last year, with nobody running away with the title or even looking like they wanted to win it. In the end they finished 3rd, level on points with Chelsea but with an inferior goal difference, and 9 points behind Manchester United. So they achieved their goal of Champions League qualification. They picked up 43 points at home, winning 13 of their 19 matches, but only 28 away from the newly-christened Etihad Stadium, so maybe they need to improve their away form to close the gap to the top.
But the real area that they lost points last season was in matches against their title rivals. Out of a potential total of 18 they only picked up 5, two draws with Arsenal and United and a win over Chelsea. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side picked up 10 points in the same fixtures, suggesting that the difference between the two sides in these matches could be crucial. Were Manchester City able to improve in these fixtures this season, they could offer a real test to United’s ability to retain the title.
This season’s transfer targets have looked to address the issues in the squad from last season. The defence looked exposed and thin on the ground at times, and Mancini has brought in Stefan Savic to solve this problem. With Wayne Bridge looking to be heading out, Gael Clichy has been drafted in to provide competition for Aleksandar Kolarov, and so Mancini appears to have achieved his goal of having two quality players for every position.
The question still remains as to whether or not Carlos Tevez will remain in Manchester for the coming season following his failed return to Corinthians, so there is still potentially business to be done by Sheikh Mansour. Sergio Aguero’s name has been the most strongly-linked to replace his fellow countryman, and this would be a fairly like-for-like as transfers go. If Edin Dzeko can rediscover the form that made him so sought-after in January and Balotelli can continue to develop, the addition of Aguero would do nothing but strengthen an already impressive strike force.
Ferguson’s comments are cleverly timed with the Charity Shield Derby fast approaching, and he will hope his words will increase the pressure on Mancini’s men. But even if this is a case of mind-games, there is clearly truth in what he says. Manchester City will be contenders next season.
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Chelsea and Manchester United, the two teams that have shared the Premier League trophy for the last six years, go head to head at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a match that could well be very important in the destination of the 2010/11 Premiership crown. There would be no better time for the Blues to end their winless run that to register a victory against their fiercest Premier League challengers. Elsewhere Arsenal will be looking to get their title hunt back on track at home Stoke and Roy Hodgson faces up against his old side Fulham, hoping to win three points for Liverpool at Anfield. You can see this week’s predictions in full on the next page, with Martin Lipton and Shaun Custis’ predictions below…
Will you back Chelsea or Man United with your FREE £20 Bet?
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Martin Lipton:
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Shaun Custis:
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Do you agree with the Premier League predictions made this week?
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Continued on Page TWO Holy Crap – it’s live fantasy football! Become part of Chelsea v Manchester United and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!
Football Writers’ Association Predictions – 18-19 Dec
Overall standings
1. Steve Bates -84
2. Martin Lipton – 83
3. Andy Dunn – 81
4. Shaun Custis – 79
5. Des Kelly – 79
6. Glenn Moore – 75
7. Danny Fulbrook – 72
8. Patrick Barclay – 68
–
December standings:
1. Steve Bates – 11
2. Martin Lipton – 10
3. Andy Dunn – 9
4. Glenn Moore – 9
5. Patrick Barclay – 8
6. Shaun Custis – 8
7. Des Kelly – 8
8. Danny Fulbrook – 6
–
Patrick Barclay (The Times)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Stoke
H
Birmingham
V
Newcastle
H
Blackburn
V
West Ham
H
Blackpool
V
Tottenham
A
Wigan
V
Aston Villa
A
Liverpool
V
Fulham
H
West Brom
V
Wolves
D
Chelsea
V
Man United
D
Man City
V
Everton
H
Leeds
V
QPR
A
Liverpool v Fulham: Roy’s old boys to suffer an Anfield backlash
Des Kelly (Daily Mail)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Stoke
H
Birmingham
V
Newcastle
D
Blackburn
V
West Ham
H
Blackpool
V
Tottenham
A
Wigan
V
Aston Villa
H
Liverpool
V
Fulham
D
West Brom
V
Wolves
H
Chelsea
V
Man United
A
Man City
V
Everton
H
Leeds
V
QPR
D
Blackpool v Tottenham: Combine the fact that Blackpool are stronger away from home than in their own back yard and fifth-placed Tottenham need to win this type of game if they are going to give any credence to Harry Redknapp’s claim they are genuine title contenders and it all points to an away win.
Shaun Custis (The Sun)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Stoke
H
Birmingham
V
Newcastle
H
Blackburn
V
West Ham
D
Blackpool
V
Tottenham
A
Wigan
V
Aston Villa
D
Liverpool
V
Fulham
H
West Brom
V
Wolves
H
Chelsea
V
Man United
D
Man City
V
Everton
H
Leeds
V
QPR
H
Arsenal v Stoke: The Gunners weren’t great at Old Trafford on Monday but should get back on track with victory over The Potters.
Continue to PAGE THREE for more Premier League predictions…
Andy Dunn (News of the World)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Stoke
H
Birmingham
V
Newcastle
H
Blackburn
V
West Ham
A
Blackpool
V
Tottenham
A
Wigan
V
Aston Villa
H
Liverpool
V
Fulham
D
West Brom
V
Wolves
A
Chelsea
V
Man United
A
Man City
V
Everton
D
Leeds
V
QPR
H
Birmingham v Newcastle: Alan Pardew got off to a great start in an emotionally-charged game against Liverpool but this will be a tougher assignment. Still smarting over the dismissal of Chris Hughton, there might be a sense of deflation and Birmingham can capitalise.
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Martin Lipton (The Mirror)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Stoke
H
Birmingham
V
Newcastle
H
Blackburn
V
West Ham
D
Blackpool
V
Tottenham
D
Wigan
V
Aston Villa
H
Liverpool
V
Fulham
H
West Brom
V
Wolves
D
Chelsea
V
Man United
A
Man City
V
Everton
D
Leeds
V
QPR
H
Blackburn v West Ham: One team without a manager, one team maybe set to lose theirs. One point each. And not a match to remember, either.
Steve Bates (The People)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Stoke
H
Birmingham
V
Newcastle
H
Blackburn
V
West Ham
D
Blackpool
V
Tottenham
A
Wigan
V
Aston Villa
H
Liverpool
V
Fulham
H
West Brom
V
Wolves
A
Chelsea
V
Man United
A
Man City
V
Everton
H
Leeds
V
QPR
H
Wigan v Aston Villa: Roberto Martinez masterminded Wigan to a good draw at Everton last week and I’m predicting the Latics to sneak a win over Villa who have found it tough on their travels this season.
Glenn Moore (The Independent)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Stoke
H
Birmingham
V
Newcastle
D
Blackburn
V
West Ham
D
Blackpool
V
Tottenham
A
Wigan
V
Aston Villa
A
Liverpool
V
Fulham
H
West Brom
V
Wolves
H
Chelsea
V
Man United
D
Man City
V
Everton
D
Leeds
V
QPR
D
Chelsea v Man United: Two teams bouyed by their last result but both desperate to avoid defeat. A stalemate beckons.
Arsenal are reportedly ready to make the first move to sign Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, according to The Sun.
The United States international has had an excellent season for the Cottagers, and has received rave reviews after scoring 23 goals for Martin Jol’s men this season, including a spectacular free-kick against Sunderland at the weekend.
With Liverpool also admitting an interest in the Craven Cottage star and his contract expiring in the summer of 2013, it is expected that Dempsey will move on to a bigger club when the transfer window reopens.
The newspaper indicate that Arsene Wenger will make an approach for Dempsey this week, and plans to play the attacker behind striker Robin van Persie and alongside new signing Lukas Podolski.
Fulham have offered Dempsey a new three-year contract, but it is expected that the North American will choose a transfer in the summer instead.
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Liverpool have confirmed that right-back Glen Johnson has signed a new contract extension with the club, but have not revealed the finer details of how many extra years have been agreed.
The England international has been a regular in the Anfield side’s first team since moving from Portsmouth in 2009, and the new deal is of delight to his employers.
We are absolutely delighted,” director of football Damien Comolli told the club’s official website. “It was easy to find an agreement because he wanted to stay and we wanted him to stay.
“We are very pleased he wants to commit long-term, and I think he was pleased we went to him and asked him to.”
Comolli is hoping for many more years with the ex-Chelsea defender at the club and feels he can still improve as a player.
“His best years are to come. Very often defenders peak between 26 and 31, so he is just entering into those years where a maturity comes in and his knowledge of the game gets better and better. We are happy his long-term future is at Liverpool.
“It’s obvious when you watch him play his technical ability is second to none. Physically he is absolutely fantastic as well and his fitness level is great. Towards the end of last season he showed how versatile he is by playing at left-back or right-back – mostly at left-back – and was outstanding.
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“For us he is a great asset to have around. As we’ve always said, we don’t want to sell our best players or sell our assets, and as long as the players are happy to be here, we’re happy to commit to them,” the former Tottenham executive concluded.
The deal comes in quick succession to news that Liverpool have agreed a fee with Blackpool for Scottish international Charlie Adam.
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has been assured that he does not need to sell any players in the January transfer window.
In-form Swedish striker Johan Elmander and England defender Gary Cahill continue to be linked with moves away from the Reebok Stadium, but Coyle is adamant that he will not lose any key members of his squad.
He told the Bolton News:"None of this fazes me – whatever comes in January will come.
"We want to keep our best players at the football club. There has been a lot of conjecture because of the financial results.
"When all is said and done, that debt that other people seem to want to talk about is owed to one man, our owner.
"I think there is a very small overdraft but it's minimal. It's owed to one man, as it is with lots of other clubs.
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"I have been assured by the chairman and the owner that there's no need for me to sell anyone in January. In fact, quite the opposite, I'm looking to strengthen if I can."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Chelsea have continued their rich vein of form with a 6-1 thumping of London rivals QPR in the Premier League on Sunday.
Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring for the Stamford Bridge hosts within the first 60 seconds of the game, before John Terry doubled the Blues’ advantage on 13 minutes.
Fernando Torres, who scored the equaliser against Barcelona at Camp Nou, looked back to his best and scored a hat-trick, two before the break and one just after the hour mark.
Chelsea’s scoring was wrapped up by Florent Malouda, before Djibril Cisse bagged a consolation for the R’s with six minutes left on the clock.
Roberto Di Matteo was pleased with his side’s efforts, but admitted surprise at the extent of the victory.
“I have to be honest, after the midweek Champions League game, sometimes it is very difficult to re-focus,” the Italian told Sky Sports.
“But the players did extremely well today to focus on this Premier League game and I have to say that they surprised me.
“We played well today. We played some good football. We scored goals and we were after three points so we are pleased with the way we got them.”
Di Matteo went on to praise hat-trick hero Torres, who he feels is looking sharp.
“He deserves all the credit.
“He has been working hard and the goals don’t always come. I was always pleased with his attitude and work-rate and it’s pleasing to see the strikers score for us,” the coach concluded.
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The win leaves Chelsea a point behind Newcastle and Tottenham.