Newly promoted Queens Park Rangers may be on the verge of a change of ownership.QPR, who won the Championship last season to win promotion to the English Premier League, released a statement on their official website on Thursday announcing that the club was in talks with a potential new buyer.
Current owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore have received much criticism from the club’s support during the off-season, with the pair seemingly reluctant to spend on the squad.
The only new arrivals at Loftus Road have been striker Jay Bothroyd and midfielder Kieron Dyer, who were both free transfers.
Ecclestone and Briatore also markedly raised the club’s ticket prices in a move which further angered the fans.
But that might all be about to change, with the Italian duo entering into negotiations over the club’s future.
The statement confirmed that the potential buyer was not the same one that had showed interest in March.
“The Company has entered into preliminary discussions with a different party,” the statement said.
“Accordingly the Company confirms that is it no longer in an offer period. We will be making no further comment at stage.”
The deadline-day sales have caused discontent in the blue half of Merseyside and the unwillingness to strengthen has left the squad looking thread-bare. After their opening day clash against Tottenham was postponed, Everton suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to QPR at Goodison Park, before they survived two Blackburn penalties misses as the soon-to-be departed Arteta sealed all three points with a penalty of his own.
Villa have once again added to their squad bringing in Tottenham pair Jermaine Jenas and Alan Hutton before the window shut last week and both could feature in the game. Villa fans will be hoping that Darren Bent who is a doubt after missing England’s Euro 2012 qualifiers with a groin-strain is able to start.
Everton’s attacking stocks are also depleted after the deadline-day sales of Beckford and Yakubu, while Louis Saha is another fitness concerns. They have added Real Madrid’s midfielder Royston Drenthe and Argentine forward Denis Stracqualursi to their squad, with both expected to make their debuts on Saturday but Leighton Baines is a doubt with a hamstring injury while Seamus Coleman is still ruled out with a long-term injury.
Alex McLeish has got his Villa side playing some great football to start the season and they have already picked up five points from a possible nine. I think they could continue this fine start on Saturday against an under-strength Everton team who will be low on confidence piling more pressure on Kenwright and the Everton owners to bring in some loan players.
Key Player
Tim Cahill: After losing a number of their attacking outlets on deadline day Cahill will now have the big task of stepping up for the team to give them some sort of threat up-front.
Richard Dunne: Dunne who was so impressive for his national team in mid-week and he is enjoying a fresh-start under McLeish, he will be an important player if Villa want to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Verdict: 0-1
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Arsenal and Manchester United still have intentions to sign target Michel Bastos despite the Brazilian recently signing a new deal at current club Lyon talkSPORT understands.
Bastos has been the subject of interest from the Premier League giants in the past only for Lyon’s refusal to sell causing the duo to halt their pursuit of the 28-year-old.
However recent reports indicate that both clubs remain keen to secure his signature which has prompted the Ligue 1 side to offer the left sided player a new contract.
That deal was duly signed keeping Bastos at the Stade de Gerland until 2015 and putting an end to any speculation over his future in France.
Since moving Les Gones in 2009 Bastos, who can play in defence or midfield, has been linked with a switch to England with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly keen to utilise his versatility on the left.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger also considered a bid for the Brazil international after losing Gael Clichy in the summer but opted to sign fellow countryman Andre Santos from Fenerbahce instead.
Despite Bastos penning a new deal at Lyon both clubs haven’t been perturbed in their efforts to secure his services.
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It was an exciting weekend of action in the Premier League, with an end-to-end game at Old Trafford resulting in a 3-1 win for Manchester United against Liverpool, Tottenham scored four against Liverpool as the Reds ended with nine men at White Hart Lane, and Swansea scored their first goals and secured their first win of the season against West Brom. Football FanCast also made another appearance on Match of the Day as a Premier League goal was scored while FFC were on the boards at one of the country’s stadia, but which one?
There were 38 goals in the Premier league last weekend, with every match containing at least two goals, while all four Sunday matches saw four goals scored. But it was at one of Saturday’s top flight games that kicked off at three o’clock at which Football FanCast made the weekend highlights. But was it Villa Park, the Reebok Stadium, Goodison Park or the Liberty Stadium at which we made our mark?
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For a clue head to the Football FanCast Facebook Page
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that he would be happy to bring Carlos Tevez to White Hart Lane on a loan deal, should the opportunity arise in January.
The Argentina international’s time at the Etihad Stadium looks all but finished after he refused to come off the bench for Roberto Mancini’s team against Bayern Munich in the Champions League back in September.
With a January departure from the Premier League leaders looking likely, Redknapp has stated that despite the attacker’s off-the-field problems, he would love to have him in North London.
“I would take him if he were available for sure, warts and all. Who wouldn’t?” he told The Daily Mail.
“If Manchester City want to let me have him on loan and massively subsidise it, I’ll take him tomorrow.
“Say what you like, but he’s a world-class player and you can’t say he doesn’t work his socks off when he plays. When he gets on the field he’s a right handful.
“It’s all right people refusing to condone his behaviour but, to be honest, I’m only interested in what he does when he plays. And world-class players are in short supply,” he concluded.
The likelihood of Tevez moving to Spurs is low, as City look to sell their wantaway forward in the new year rather than send him out on loan.
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Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas has confirmed that Didier Drogba and Jon Obi Mikel have not travelled with the squad to Belgium to take on Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Ivory Coast international has been left back in London and will undergo surgery to removed screws from the arm he broke last year in the build up to the World Cup.
“We took the risk based on his domestic suspension and the forthcoming international break to remove six of the eight screws from his arm,” the Portuguese coach told reporters at a press conference.
“So he’s out of this game and the Blackburn game, and should be ready to return for the team when the others go away for international fixtures,” Villas Boas confirmed.
The ex-Porto trainer also stated that Mikel was being rested for the trip, and maintained that The Blues were on track despite consecutive league defeats.
“There’s always a learning curve in winning and in losing,” he continued.
“I think you have to be frank and say that our progress was stopped in a disastrous week for us in terms of results. But you cannot say it’s all gone to ruins. That’s not true.
“There is, of course, back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, which take their toll in terms of the league table.
“But that doesn’t mean that what’s being built is wrong, that the philosophy is wrong, and that we’re not on the right track. We are on the right track. What we are building is still right.
“We have been punished in the last week in terms of the results, but it’s up to us to take on the challenge.
“We represent a massive club and we’re not running away from the mistakes, but we have to move on,” he concluded.
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Chelsea beat Genk 5-0 in the corresponding fixture in England two weeks ago, and know a win can leave them in a very strong position in Group E.
Schalke have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Koln striker Lukas Podolski as they look for a long term replacement for veteran forward Raul according to talkSPORT.
Arsene Wenger had recently sent scouts to watch the in-form German striker who has scored 11 goals in 13 league games so far this season. Wenger’s need to add a striker to the squad is evident as Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-Young can’t find any sort of form and Niclas Bendtner is happy on loan at Sunderland.
Robin Van Persie has been the main man this season at the Emirates but the Gunners will not be able to rely on him throughout the second half of the season and will look for a January deal for Podolski.
Podolski is set to leave Koln in January but he has confirmed that he has not yet spoken to Arsenal and that there are other interested parties. The Polish born striker has scored 43 goals for Germany and will look to continue that at Euro 2012 but should be playing for a different club before that tournament comes around.
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Raul’s contract expires next summer and it is widely expected that this could be his last season playing in Europe. Arsenal may have to outbid their German rivals for the striker’s signature but Wenger is definitely interested and a deal could be confirmed sooner rather than later.
West Brom know they could move into the Premier League top half with victory over Everton after ending 2011 unbeaten in three games.
Roy Hodgson’s side became the first to stop league leaders Manchester City from scoring this season making it seven points from a possible nine in the last three games. Victories on the road against Blackburn and Newcastle eased the pressure building on Hodgson’s shoulders after a run of one win in six saw the Baggies slide perilously close to the drop zone. However the return of Peter Odemwingie from a knee injury to partner Shane Long up front has been a godsend with the duo linking up to devastating effect in the latter half of December. Albion supporters will be hoping both players can continue their good form and help their side improve a home record that has seen them win just two of their nine games at the Hawthorns scoring just seven goals in the process.
It will be difficult against an Everton side who are unbeaten in their last three and are right back in the hunt for a top seven charge in the New Year. A slow start to the season saw the Toffee’s moved to within inches of the bottom three and a run of one win in six games. However their form and performances have improved considerably since the end of October losing just two of their last seven and putting a six-point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone. The form of Leon Osman has been a particular highlight during the last two months whilst captain Phil Jagielka has tightened up the back four. Scoring goals remains a big problem with David Moyes’ men hitting the net just 18 times in their 17 games this season and that will need to be addressed in 2012 if the club are to achieve their goals.
West Bromwich Albion 11th : 22 points
Team news: Jonas Olsson looks likely to miss the game after picking up a knock whilst Steven Reid and Youssuf Mulumbu are also out.
Key Player: Shane Long
It’s been a marvellous year for Long who scored goal after goal for Reading before his move to the Hawthorns. The striker has become a key figure for Albion and he’ll be looking to start 2012 with a goal against Everton.
Everton 12th : 21 points
Team news: Everton are without three key players with Royston Drenthe, Seamus Coleman and Marouane Fellaini all absent from their trip to the Midlands.
Key Player: Phil Jagielka
The Everton skipper has been a tower of consistency this season and wll be vital to keeping Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie at bay. Jagielka will be hoping to maintain his solid form with Euro 2012 just around the corner.
PREDICTION
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West Brom struggle at home but have ended 2011 in tremendous form will need to start winning at the Hawthorns in the New Year if they are to finish in the top half. Everton are also on a good run after going three unbeaten and travel to the Midlands a point and a place behind the Baggies.
Believe it or not, Liverpool are said to be after Real Madrid ’s talented German Mesut Ozil . The source may well be The People, but there’s no reason to write off the rumour just yet. Various reports are suggesting that Jose Mourinho has handed the midfield dynamo an ultimatum.
Apparently Jose has made it clear that if he doesn’t find some form – and quick, then his Real Madrid days are numbered. After a wildly successful first season at the club (wherein he picked up 28 assists in all competitions) where he was at the heart of everything Real Madrid did, he has slowly found himself squeezed out this year.
The nadir of his season came following the barrage of criticism he received from fans after Madrid’s El Classico defeat. He has found himself warming the bench more often than he’d like this season and when he does play he looks a far cry from the player he was a year ago.
There’s every chance that he’d be keen to seek new horizons and a chance to reignite a faltering career. There’s no doubt that if he could get back to his best, he’d soon establish himself as one of the League’s best midfielders. Whether he has already peaked is anybody’s guess, but you can’t help but feel that he could do a great job for Liverpool.
But is any Liverpool interest likely to be genuine? In reality, it’s highly doubtful. Liverpool spent big this summer and already have a midfield that is flowing pretty well. If anything, following Lucas Leivas’ season-ending injury Liverpool should be looking out for a defensive midfielder, not a dynamic offensive presence like Ozil.
Still, it would be the kind of transfer that would act as a real statement of intent for Liverpool. After all, isn’t the thought of Gerrard and Ozil together in the centre of midfield an attractive one?
Ozil has spoken before of desiring a move to Barcelona, but seeing as they signed Cesc Fabregas last summer, I doubt that they’ll be too interested in bringing in a player who hasn’t looked himself recently in La Liga. Perhaps a move to a different League would suit the German International perfectly and spur him on to further success.
Whilst I doubt that there’s much to this story, you can’t help but feel excited at the prospect of Ozil joining the Premier League. If there’s any truth to the ‘Jose Mourinho ultimatum’ story, then surely Liverpool should consider testing the water?
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Article courtesy of Harry Cloke from This is Futbol
Manchester United will kick-start a tough run of games with a visit to North London against their old enemy tomorrow afternoon. Sir Alex Ferguson is certainly expecting a tough game and a totally different contest from the 8-2 drubbing they gave their great rivals back in August. Sir Alex will be desperate to get 3pts and subsequently close the gap at the top of the Premier League table.
This week at FFC we have had a mixed bag of blogs that include the Man United Social Network; Wayne Rooney needs to decide what it wants to be, while this summer appears to be a huge one in the transfer market for Sir Alex Ferguson. United’s quote of the week and a full match preview ahead of the Arsenal game.
Best of FFC
A hugely important summer in the transfer market for Sir Alex?
Have United and England have unearthed themselves the modern day ‘Kaiser’?
Wayne Rooney needs to decide what he wants to be
Will the Premier League’s top stars find the allure of Spain too hard to resist?
Man United’s Social Network: Whatever next?!
Manchester United’s top TEN ‘Cult Heroes’ of all time
The Premier League going back in time
The ideal transfer Plan B for Sir Alex Ferguson?
United set for disappointment as Lerby confirms Sneijder stay
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Best United blogs on the WEB
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Is Rooney To Blame For United’s Current Contract Problems? – Red Flag Flying High
The Kids Of Today… – 7Cantonas
Play it, Dimitar – United Rant
An Example To Both Pogba And Morrison – The Busby Way
When Arsenal beat Manchester United 5-2 in 1960, was the match ‘fixed’? – RoM
Jones earmarked for Manchester United defence but better in midfield – Life’s A Pitch
United Quote of the Week
“If you look at our history and commitment, you know we like to win all trophies and I believe we are the team in Manchester who will keep doing that every year,” Nemanja Vidic (Manchester Evening News)
Match Preview v Arsenal
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Arsenal will be gunning for revenge when they meet Manchester United on Sunday as they aim to get even with champions following the humiliating 8-2 thrashing in August.
Arsene Wenger’s side were humbled at Old Trafford in the opening weeks of the season as crisis gripped the Gunners following the departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Since then the Frenchman has steered the club into calmer waters and to within four points of the top four despite suffering losing two of his key players and having to deal with a never-ending succession of injuries. One defeat in 12 since mid-October had put Arsenal in with a great chance of achieving Champions League football next year but two defeats on the trot has seen them drop further behind Chelsea in the New Year. Wenger will have been unhappy with his side after they were blown away by Swansea at the Liberty Stadium last week and they’ll need to cut out the reckless mistakes that cost them in South Wales. With Johan Djourou and Ignasi Miquel continuing to fill in at full back they’ll need Andriy Arshavin and Theo Walcott to double up and minimize the threat of United’s wide players if they are to exact retribution for the embarrassing defeat suffered six months ago.
The Red Devils will be well aware that Arsenal will be vengeful going into the game but need to approach their trip to North London with a sense of trepidation. A 3-0 win at home to Bolton came after two consecutive defeats with Paul Scholes scoring on his return to Old Trafford. Whilst the veteran midfielder will probably be relegated to the bench at the Emirates his return to the club has provided a visible lift. Michael Carrick’s improved performances in central midfield will have delighted Sir Alex Ferguson who will more than likely recall Ryan Giggs to the starting line-up. The 38-year-old continues to defy the ageing process and his experience will be key to beating the Gunners who have been forced into fielding a number of teenagers and young players this season. Getting Wayne Rooney into the game will be key for United along with Antonio Valencia and Nani on the wings. The duo will come up against two inexperienced full backs on Sunday and Ferguson will make it clear to Valencia and Nani that they could be the difference in the game. Keeping Van Persie quiet will also be a high priority fo the Scot and it’s anticipated that he’ll charge Phil Jones with marking the prolific Dutchman.
Arsenal 5th : 36 points
Last six: L L W D W L
Team news: Thierry Henry and Thomas Vermaelen are both doubts for Arsenal who have 11 players out injured.
Key Player: Robin Van Persie
His first goal of 2012 wasn’t enough for Arsenal to see off Swansea last week but there is no downplaying Van Persie’s importance to Arsenal. The Dutchman will be going all out to gain revenge after playing and scoring in the 8-2 thrashing back in August.
Manchester United 2nd : 48 points
Last six: W L L W W W
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Team news: Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck are all doubts for Manchester United who have 10 players on the sidelines.
Key Player: Wayne Rooney
Despite having failed to score in the league since before Christmas the Red Devil’s forward still poses a major threat up front. Rooney’s playmaking ability, energy and determination to win will be key to United’s chances at the Emirates Stadium.
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Click on Roger Johnson’s misses below to unveil our current Premier League Wag XI