Hamburg's Germany international defender Jerome Boateng believes he will sign for Manchester City before the World Cup begins.
City have been in talks with the Bundesliga club since the end of the domestic season and Boateng believes an agreement is now close to being reached.
The 21-year-old centre-half could cost the Eastlands outfit around £10million.
"I am going to sign on before leaving for the World Cup and the deal will be completed," Boateng told German media.
"It has been decided that I am moving there."
Speaking about a recent meeting with City boss Roberto Mancini, he continued:"He came with two representatives to Hamburg and we chatted for one or two hours.
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"He convinced me to make the transfer. He believes that I will definitely need a few months to get settled in once in England, but that he sees so much potential in me that he will improve me.
"Even if many people say that I am going to struggle to make the breakthrough, I am confident that I will. I am not afraid of anybody."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Birmingham City goalkeeper Maik Taylor believes his Euro 2012 qualification hopes could suffer now that Ben Foster has been brought in from Manchester United.
The Northern Ireland stopper, 38, who played second fiddle to Joe Hart last term, recently signed a one-year extension at St Andrew’s.
He is fully expecting to be Foster’s understudy but is ready for the challenge to oust his new team-mate as he looks to remain in the international set-up.
Speaking to reporters, he said:“I imagine Foster will start the season as first choice so it will be up to me to push him and hopefully get in and get a few games.
“If he produces the level of performance of which he is capable – similar to Joe Hart last season – it’s going to make things extremely difficult for me.
“If I am not getting many games at Birmingham it’s going to be difficult with Northern Ireland, but I am up for the challenge.
“If I am not producing the goods and someone is there who’s playing well regularly for their club, then I’m sure Nigel Worthington would make the change.
“I am still enjoying the game and I love being involved with Northern Ireland so retirement is a long way off yet.
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“So hopefully I will keep performing at the level I know I can and help Northern Ireland qualify for Euro 2012.”
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Complementing my earlier article on Liverpool’s Greatest BRITISH XI of all time, the following eleven players represent the Reds’ finest imported players. So without further ado, I give you Liverpool’s Greatest Foreign XI of all time…
Jose Manuel Reina (Goalkeeper)
LFC Career: 2005 – Present
Apps/goals: 259/0
Honours: 1 FA Cup
Current Liverpool custodian Jose Manuel ‘Pepe’ Reina, son of former Spanish international Miguel Reina, has proven himself to be one of the world’s finest goalkeepers since moving to Anfield in the summer of 2005. Labelled “the best goalkeeper in Spain” by former manager Rafael Benitez upon his arrival at the club, Reina has managed to bring a level of calm and assuredness to the Reds’ rearguard not seen since the days of Ray Clemence. Blessed with unrivalled shot-stopping and distribution abilities, the charismatic Spaniard has claimed four Golden Glove awards in five of his seasons on Merseyside, as well as becoming the fastest goalkeeper to achieve 100 clean sheets in the club’s history. The goalkeeper has been touted by many as a future captain of the club; such is his love and affection for Liverpool.
Markus Babbel (Right-back)
LFC Career: 2000-2004
Apps/goals: 73/6
Honours: 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 UEFA Cup
Despite featuring less than 100 times for Liverpool, German full-back Markus Babbel retains a special place amongst the hearts of Reds fans. A classy, cultured, attacking right-back, Babbel performed with great distinction during Liverpool’s treble-winning season of 2001, with the German scoring the opening goal in the UEFA Cup final of that year against Alaves. Babbel also managed to score against arch-rivals Everton during that season, cementing his reputation in Anfield folklore. Despite fighting his way back from a crippling virus that saw him sidelined for an entire season, Babbel was unable to recapture his previous form and left Anfield for Stuttgart in the summer of 2004.
Sami Hyypia (Centre-back)
LFC Career: 1999-2009
Apps/goals: 464/35
Honours: 2 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 1 European Cup, 1 UEFA Cup
Regarded by most as former manager Gerard Houllier’s finest signing, the £2.5m paid to Dutch side Willem II in 1999 now looks like one of the biggest bargains of the last 20 years. Epitomizing consistency and class, the big Finn was a rock at the heart of Liverpool’s defence for the best part of ten years, forming tremendous partnerships with Stephane Henchoz and Jamie Carragher. A cornerstone of Liverpool’s historic treble of 2001, Hyypia also had a knack of scoring crucial goals in Europe, most notably a sweetly-struck volley against Juventus in 2005 and a towering header against Arsenal in 2008. Currently plying his trade at Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, many expect Hyypia to return to Anfield in a coaching capacity at some time in the future.
Mark Lawrenson (Centre-back)
LFC Career: 1981-1988
Apps/goals: 356/18
Honours: 5 League Titles, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cups, 1 European Cup
Despite being born in England, ‘Lawro’ qualifies for this team due to the fact he represented Republic of Ireland at international level. Signed from Brighton in 1981 for a (then) club record transfer fee of £900,000, Lawro went on to form half of one of the most impenetrable defensive partnerships of his day with Alan Hansen. Complementing Hansen’s elegance with considerable strength, the Eire international enjoyed a gloriously trophy-laden spell at Anfield. The former Brighton man’s finest moments at Liverpool include a resolute performance against Roma in the 1984 European Cup Final, and a terrific display against Merseyside rivals Everton in the FA Cup Final of 1986. Whilst Lawro’s punditry ‘qualities’ divide opinion, his footballing credentials certainly don’t.
John Arne Riise (Left-back)
LFC Career: 2001-2008
Apps/goals: 348/31
Honours: 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 European Cup
Armed with arguably the most explosive left-foot in the modern game, Norwegian left-back (and sometime left-midfielder) John Arne Riise enthralled Reds fans during his seven-year stint at Anfield. Signed from French side Monaco, Riise swiftly became a fan favourite after a thunderous free-kick against fierce rivals Manchester United three months after his arrival. The flame-haired full-back played his part in Liverpool’s thrilling Champions League Final comeback of 2005, providing the cross from which Steven Gerrard headed Liverpool’s first goal. In addition to scoring the fast goal in League Cup Final history (after 45 seconds against Chelsea in 2005), Riise managed to convert a successful penalty in the side’s FA Cup Final shootout with West Ham United in 2006.
Patrik Berger (Left-midfield)
LFC Career: 1996-2003
Apps/goals: 196/35
Honours: 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, 1 UEFA Cup
Like Riise (above), former Czech international was revered by Reds fans for his powerful left-foot. Berger was an instant hit upon his arrival in the summer of 1996, managing to score five goals in his first four appearances for the club. Berger’s finest moments at the club include a hat-trick against Chelsea in his second season at Anfield, and a superb free-kick against Manchester United at Old Trafford, but he is probably best remembered for the exquisite pass that set up Michael Owen’s last-gasp winner against Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup Final.
Dietmar Hamann (Centre-midfield)
LFC Career: 1999-2006
Apps/goals: 283/11
Honours: 2 FA Cups, 2 League Cup, 1 European Cup, 1 UEFA Cup
After impressing at fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in 1998/99, Hamann made the short trip south to Liverpool, where he became one of the club’s most influential players of the early 2000s. ‘Didi’ was a classy defensive midfielder, skilled at shielding the defence and nullifying opposition threats. Although famed for his spectacular long-range shooting (he won Premier League Goal of the Season for a strike against Portsmouth in 2003/04), Hamann’s Anfield tenure is best remembered by his contribution to the club’s successful Champions League Final win of 2005. Hamann’s second-half introduction was considered to be the catalyst for the club’s historic comeback, a fact made more impressive by the fact that Didi was nursing a broken toe at the time.
Jan Molby (Centre-midfield)
LFC Career: 1984-1996
Apps/goals: 292/61
Honours: 2 League titles, 2 FA Cups
Signed from Ajax in the wake of Graeme Souness’s Anfield exit, Jan Molby is considered by many to be the finest passer of the ball in Liverpool’s history. ‘The Great Dane’ made up for his lack of pace with his breathtaking technique and vision, skills supplemented by his unrivalled short and long-range passing abilities. ‘Big Jan’ was a confident and assured penalty-taker, with the former Denmark international missing just 3 from 45 spot-kicks for the Anfield side. Despite suffering from a spate of injuries in the middle and latter parts of his Liverpool career, Molby is still fondly remembered by Reds fans.
Ronnie Whelan (Centre-midfield)
LFC Career: 1979-1994
Apps/goals: 493/73
Honours: 6 League titles, 2 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, 1 European Cup
Versatile midfielder Ronnie Whelan was a staple during Liverpool’s 1980s’ heyday. Arriving from Irish minnows Home Farm for the paltry fee of £35,000 in 1979, Whelan paid his dues in the side’s reserve team before establishing himself as a first-team regular in 1981/82. A versatile operator, Whelan had a penchant for spectacular goals, a proclivity demonstrated by a goal scored against Manchester United in the 1983 League Cup final. Injuries to Alan Hansen meant that Whelan was awarded captaincy in 1988/89, and the Irishman skippered the side to another league championship title in 1989/90.
Ray Houghton (Right-midfield)
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LFC Career: 1987-1992
Apps/goals: 202/38
Honours: 2 League titles, 2 FA Cups
Glasgow-born former Eire international Ray Houghton was a key component of Liverpool’s title-winning sides of the late 1980s. A hardworking and energetic player, Houghton chipped in with his fair share of goals and assists as Liverpool claimed the 1978/88 and 1989/90 league championship titles. Often overshadowed by team-mates Aldridge, Barnes and Beardsley, Houghton’s contributions to the side were of great importance; speaking of Houghton, former Liverpool colleague Steve Nicol said, “He was someone that you wouldn’t have realised how good he was unless you played with him.”
Fernando Torres (Striker)
LFC Career: 2007 – Present
Apps/goals: 116/72
Honours:
The current darling of the Kop, Liverpool’s current number nine Fernando Torres has already managed to write himself into Anfield folklore. After scoring on his full home debut against Premier League rivals Chelsea, ‘El Niño’ managed to notch up 24 league goals in his first season on Merseyside, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in their debut Premier League season. Forming a dream partnership with Reds skipper Steven Gerrard, Torres continued to smash records, and a stoppage-time winner against Aston Villa in December 2009 meant that El Niño became the fastest player to score 50 league goals in Liverpool’s history (eclipsing the likes of Rush, Dalglish, Fowler and Hunt in the process). Still only 26, the best is still yet to come from Fernando Torres, an exciting prospect for Liverpool fans and a terrifying one for fans of all other teams.
Any glaring omissions! Let me know below… (or on twitter)
Follow all things Red at www.twitter.com/Liverpool_FFC
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul
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Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
West Ham United manager Avram Grant has admitted his squad is still far from complete ahead of the start of the new season.
Grant has signed three players since taking the reins at Upton Park at the beginning of June.
Thomas Hitzlsperger, Frederic Piquionne and Pablo Barrera have all arrived, but Grant has been frustrated in his attempts to land defender Tal Ben Haim from former club Portsmouth and Nice striker Loic Remy.
"The squad is not complete yet, we told the players we want to make the squad as strong as we can," Grant told the club's official website.
"Even if the club are limited with money because we are in debt, we know what we are doing and we know we want to do.
"The owners are trying to give their best for the team so we will buy or loan a few more players.
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"Even if I don't like loans so much – most players here will be players for the long term."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
West Bromwich Albion are poised to seal the signing of Nigeria international striker Peter Odemwingie from Lokomotiv Moscow.
The 29-year-old has been with the Russian club for the past three years, but has opted to take up a fresh challenge in England, having played in both France and Belgium in the past.
Odemwingie told the Birmingham Mail:“Most likely I will join on Tuesday.
“I’ve already signed a contract. They have been left to negotiate among themselves and then my dream of playing in the English Premier League will come true.
“I opted for West Brom because for a long time I’ve wanted to play in England, but I thank Panathinaikos for their interest. They are a big club.”
Odemwingie has won nearly 50 caps for his country and featured for the Super Eagles at the World Cup finals in South Africa earlier this summer.
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Rio Ferdinand will make his comeback for Manchester United reserves against Oldham on Wednesday night.
Ferdinand has been out of action since picking up a knee ligament injury on the eve of England’s World Cup campaign.
The 31-year-old defender missed the tournament in South Africa after being injured in the first training session at their Rustenburg base following a collision with Emile Heskey.
Sir Alex Ferguson expected to be without his influential central defender until the end of September but Ferdinand surprised the United boss with the speed of his recovery.
“Rio has trained this week,” he said last Friday. “He’s surprised me with his progress, it’s fantastic.”
Ferdinand made just 21 appearances for the Red Devils last season after struggling to shake off a troublesome back injury.
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He will be joined in the United line-up for the second string game at Oldham by Wes Brown, Anderson and Federico Macheda, who are all also making their comebacks from injury.
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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has played down his chances of landing Everton starlet Jack Rodwell.
The teenage England-Under 21 international recently signed a new long-term contract with the Toffees to bring to an end a summer of reports linking him with a move to Manchester United.
In recent weeks City have also emerged as potential suitors as Mancini looks to build a squad capable of winning both the Premier League and Champions League at Eastlands.
He spent more than £120million on a host of star names during the summer transfer window but has suggested that signing Rodwell might prove too difficult.
Everton manager David Moyes has continually stated that the promising youngster is not for sale at any price.
"We put English players in the team but it isn't easy because all the clubs that have English players won't sell," Mancini told the Daily Star Sunday.
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"I like Jack Rodwell but will Everton sell? Impossible.
"If I can, I give young players a chance. I was just 16 when I first played in Serie A."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
A brace from Rafael van Der Vaart capped a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane and ensured that Tottenham remain in and around the top four ahead of the international break. Harry Redknapp’s men finally appear to be getting themselves into gear and starting to display the type of performance that saw them gatecrash the Champions League party last season.
This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs which has included…Tottenham’s contingency bid; solving the Van der Vaart dilemma and does the Olympic Stadium move really suit either club?
Plus we have taken a look at the best Tottenham stories on the Web this week.
The 10 Ugliest Footballers of their time
Worst Spurs XI in recent memory
The NEW king of White Hart Lane?
The £150m question that Tottenham fans must ask themselves
Does the stadium move really suit either club?
Simply a contingency bid from Tottenham Hotspur?
Where does VDV rank among Spurs’ top 10 foreign imports of all time?
Tottenham’s midweek win highlighted a flawed system
Solving this Van der Vaart dilemma – Harry should drop duo!
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Best of Web
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FAO Sullivan, Gold and Brady – Dear Mr Levy
Levy treated me like bit of meat – Sun
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He Made The Right Choice… – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
Only 31 games to go – Spurs Musings from JimmyG2
Van Der Vaart’s New Love [photo] & Three Unrelated Moans – Harry Hotspur
San Siro Ticket Scandal – Triffic Tottenham
A spoon full of Sugar makes the Venables go down – Dear Mr Levy
Plenty of column inches have already been written about Alberto Aquilani’s time at Anfield, with the general consensus being that the Italian wasn’t given a fair crack of the whip. I personally could see both sides of the argument, although I do find it hard to overly criticise a player who was only given a handful of chances to impress.
I was extremely surprised that Roy Hodgson decided to send Aquilani out on loan. Although Joe Cole had duly arrived the fact remains that every successful team needs strength in depth, (something we haven’t) therefore it seemed strange not to give the Italian a chance given he had finally returned to full fitness after his troubles last season. It is one of many decisions made by Hodgson since his arrival that has left me baffled.
According to reports in the press today, Juventus have been impressed with Aquilani’s contributions so far that they are looking to broker a permanent deal. Although the terms of the apparent season long loan deal suggests that Juventus already have first refusal on a €16m Euro deal, they are looking to bring it forward and trying to snap up Aquilani in a £10m in a cut price move. It is certainly a dilemma for the current board to consider, especially given our current debt.
Although we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the NESV takeover bid will be approved by the Premier League and we can finally see the back of Hicks and Gillett, it still remains to be seen what they’ll bring to the table and whether there will be endless millions to spend. Not knowing the exact financial mess that will await them, they may be tempted to take the £10m, especially as the current manager clearly has no intention of keeping him.
So what shall we do with Aquilani? Should we take the £10m now to enhance our January transfer budget or should we hold out for the full amount next summer?
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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce had no excuses for his team's lamentable display in the embarrassing 5-1 derby defeat to Newcastle United.
Kevin Nolan scored a hat-trick for Chris Hughton's team, while Shola Ameobi grabbed a brace before Darren Bent's stoppage-time consolation goal for the hapless visitors.
To add to the Black Cats' woes, former Newcastle defender Titus Bramble was sent off in the early stages of the second half for a professional foul on Andy Carroll, although Sunderland were already trailing 3-0 at that stage.
An aghast Bruce said after the rout:"It's pure disappointment. We've got a group of people who will have to apologise.
"There are no excuses. We were beaten well and truly. We were naive and didn't handle the occasion at all.
"Everything which could have gone wrong went wrong. We all have to live with this – it hurts.
"They had a couple of bounces of the ball, a few richochets, deflections, sendings-off, penalties – everything which could have gone against us did within the space of about 45 minutes.
"In the first half we simply didn't handle the occasion and we didn't show anything like what we can do. I have no complaints about the red card.
"I know it will take a lot to win the fans back over. We've let ourselves down and it couldn't have happened at a worse place. It was the worst performance since I've been in charge.
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"To come and let that happen at Newcastle is very disappointing for us all. The whole thing accumulated into a terrible afternoon for us.
"My message to the fans is – we apologise. To witness that is difficult to take and there'll be a few – me included – who have a repair job and rightly so."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email