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Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has stated that striker Steven Fletcher is an important player at the club, and will not be sold n January.

The Scotland international has scored six Premier League goals this season, and has caught the eye of the British media due to excellent performances for the Molineux outfit.

Despite rumours linking Fletcher with a move to a bigger club, McCarthy insists he is going nowhere.

“No. If I say yes then I’ve suddenly put him up for sale haven’t I? So, categorically, no,” the Wolves boss told Mirror Football.

“He’s a Premier League player scoring goals so he’s going to get headlines. Players always do when they’re scoring goals.

“All Fletcher can do is play and score, for his career here and his Scotland career.

“He’s still only a young man, so all he can do is keep playing well and scoring. It’s a great feeling as a footballer to be playing well.

“He’s a very good player, he’s excellent. It’s his all-round game, but as with all strikers it’s his goals that top his performances off.

“And he wants to score. He loves scoring,” McCarthy concluded.

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Fletcher will look to continue his good run of personal form for Wolves as they take on Stoke at home on Saturday.

By Gareth McKnight

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With Manchester United and Real Madrid possibly on course for a Champions League final meeting at Wemblet next month, current Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has said that he’ll be the man to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United. The Special One looks set for a return to the Premier League sooner rather than later, and Old Trafford could well be his destination.

Elsewhere in the morning’s newspapers, rumours are circulating that Harry Redknapp is ready to discard his error-prone Tottenahm goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, while off the pitch Spurs have joined forces with Leyton Orient to fight the Olympic Stadium decision. Finally Birmingham’s place in Europe may be under threat as their finances are investigated, as the other Blues, Chelsea, have upped their top ticket prices.

Mourinho says he will be next Man United boss – The Sun

Redknapp ready to discard error-prone Gomes – Daily Mail

Kroenke has fight on his hands to keep Cesc – The Sun

Dalglish close to finding ‘justice’ for families – Mirror

Manchester United missed out on Raul in the summer – Daily Mail

City happy to be underdogs – Guardian

Villa and Sunderland to battle it out for ‘keeper Kirkland – Mirror

Warnock looking for Aston Villa escape – Daily Mail

Birmingham’s European place under threat – Guardian

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Chelsea rise top-rated AA football tickets to a whopping £88 – Independent

Spurs and Orient join forces – Telegraph

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Listen to the first episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and Toploader’s Dan Hipgrave makes a special appearance!

With the tie delicately hanging in the balance, tonight sees Tottenham take on Young Boys for the right to play in this season’s Champions League group stages. A 3-2 defeat in Berne leaves Harry Redknapp’s men with a difficult but ultimately manageable task this evening at White Hart Lane to overcome their Swiss challengers. But if Tottenham do manage to qualify tonight, will it spark a spending spree which so far has failed to materialise?

Harry Redknapp has been uncharacteristically quiet this transfer window, only bringing in young Brazilian midfielder Sandro from Internacional and former Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas to White Hart Lane. Despite the lack of transfer activity, Tottenham have been linked with a whole host of players and confirmation of Champions League football by beating Young Boys would prove a huge draw to some of Tottenham’s potential transfer targets. In recent months, Tottenham have been linked to some Europe and the Premier League’s top players including Steven Pienaar, Ashley Young, Scott Parker, Loic Remy, Lassana Diarra and Luis Fabiano but have failed to make a move on any of these players.

This is because if Redknapp does choose to open the Tottenham chequebook, he has to be sure that the player or players that he does potentially buy will add value to the team and I’m not sure that many of the players linked with Tottenham do. For example, do Tottenham really need another winger in Ashley Young when Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale are arguably the two most exciting wingers in the Premier League? Similarly, is Lassana Diarra really such an upgrade on the existing midfield corps at Tottenham? I have my doubts.

One player who I believe would be worthy of spending money on to bring to White Hart Lane is Sevilla and Brazil striker Luis Fabiano. Since moving to Seville in 2005, Fabiano has established himself as one of the world’s most deadly strikers. He has scored 95 goals in 191 appearances for the Spanish club, along with an impressive haul of 28 goals in 43 appearances for the Brazilian national team. A move for Luis Fabiano would provide Tottenham with a proven goalscorer at club and international level and would add some much needed firepower to a stuttering attack.

Tottenham’s strikers have been misfiring so far this season; Jermain Defoe has been struggling for form, Peter Crouch hasn’t scored enough goals and Robbie Keane is low on confidence and being linked with a move away. Due to these concerns, signing Fabiano would be a wise move for Tottenham should they qualify for the group stages of the Champions League.

However, Tottenham must be cautious in their approach to spending their guaranteed windfall should they qualify. There is no guarantee that the players they bring into the team will ensure that Tottenham will qualify for next season’s Champions League so Spurs must be careful in spending big and promising too much to the players in case they don’t make it next year.

Do you think Harry will spend big if Tottenham qualify or do Spurs already have a good enough squad to play Champions League football?

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Click on image below to see the gallery of Mario Balotelli’s stunning girlfriend

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Over the last few days there have been rumours strongly linking Arsenal ’s Emmanuel Frimpong with a loan move to Wolves this January.

The young Ghanaian has impressed on a number of different occasions thus far this season, putting in a particularly eye-catching performance against Man City in the Carling Cup despite the Gunners losing the tie. However, it’s clear that he’s far from the complete package and it makes a lot of sense for him to be sent out on loan to pick up valuable experience.

Whilst he adds to Arsenal a much needed steel and competitive edge, his youthful over-exuberance often broils over into recklessness. Given a fair amount of time in the first team you could see him picking up a large number of yellow and potentially red cards that could cost the Gunners.

It will be of some benefit then, for him to move to a well disciplined Premier League team who are willing to give him the appropriate amount of game time and help him learn to curtail the more brash side of his game.

I’ve seen some suggest that a club like Wolves simply doesn’t share Arsenal’s mentality and thus won’t provide a decent training ground for this youngster. Now Wolves may not be renowned for their fine free-flowing attacking football, but on their day they are a solid, imposing side with a decent fighting spirit. All qualities that Arsenal fans would love to see blossom and bloom in Frimpong.

Besides, I don’t think that Bolton share too many similarities with Arsenal and yet Jack Wilshere got one of the best possible footballing educations during his year on loan at the club.

What’s important at the moment is that Frimpong gets a decent amount of game time at a Premier League club. If he’s got the natural abilities to make it at a club like Arsenal in the long run, they’ll soon become apparent when he’s playing regular football. It’s quite clear that he’s got the passion and competitive edge to succeed and from what we’ve seen recently he’s also effective with the ball at his feet.

Whilst I’d rather see him join a club like Swansea City or Norwich City who have shown some attacking flair thus far this season, I’m not against him joining Wolves. I’d be particularly happy if the deal stipulated that he had to play a certain amount of games during his time at the club.

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But what’s your take? Would a loan move to Wolves be the best move for Emmanuel Frimpong?

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England meet World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana in a friendly at Wembley with another new captain and seven changes to the team.Fabio Capello has released six players who started England’s 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Wales on Saturday.

With reinstated skipper John Terry among those to return to their clubs, Gareth Barry becomes the next man to inherit the armband, despite being left out of the team at the Millennium Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson has also been released, meaning Gary Cahill will be rewarded for his excellent form at Bolton Wanderers with a place in the centre of the defence.

Cahill will partner Everton’s Phil Jagielka in Tuesday’s match.

Another Goodison Park man, Leighton Baines, will take over from Ashley Cole at left-back.

West Ham United captain Scott Parker is a doubt with a slight niggle.

If passed fit, he is expected to remain in midfield, alongside Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.

In attack, Wayne Rooney will not be involved, leaving room for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll to make his second full international appearance.

England will already be familiar with some of the Ghana squad, a number of whom ply their trade in the Premier League.

Captain John Mensah, striker Asamoah Gyan and attacking midfielder Sulley Muntari all play for Sunderland, John Paintsil is at Fulham and Richard Kingson keeps goal at Blackpool.

“I have never played at Wembley so it is like a dream come true,” Gyan said.

“This is a huge game for us Ghanaians.”

One Ghanaian star of the Premier League who will not be involved is Chelsea’s Michael Essien.

The midfielder has suffered two serious injuries on international duty in the past two years and is reluctant make himself available again.

“I will definitely return to the team at some point in the future however it won’t be for the upcoming games,” Essien said in February.

The 28-year-old’s decision has not been well received back home.

“Essien … has shown little commitment to the cause of the Black Stars, and it is high time we forgot about him,” former Ghana FA president Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe said earlier this month.

Emmanuel Adebayor is one of the most gifted strikers in the Premier League, but he also possesses one of the most difficult personalities in the top flight. The Togolese front man is capable of brilliance and can be unplayable at times; one just has to look at his performance in Manchester City’s 4-2 win over Arsenal at Eastlands last season. In the match Adebayor scored a goal and dominated the Gunner’s defence, but also clashed with Robin van Persie’s head and rushed over to the away end to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans, almost prompting a full blown riot in the process. Manchester City would have known they were getting this when they signed him, a match winner but also someone that can be a disruptive influence at the club. It has only taken one year at Eastlands before Adebayor is up to his old tricks, and Man City fans will probably not be best pleased with the striker’s recent comments.

Concerned at what he believes will be a lack of first team opportunities at Man City, Adebayor has spoken to Italian newspaper Tuttosport.

He stated “I know there will not be many chances for me and so I am considering the many offers I have received. I will be sorry to leave the Premier League, but in Europe there are other top leagues. Juventus are a great club in which I would like to play for.”

This is not the sort of thing Man City fans or Roberto Mancini will want to hear. If Emmanuel Adebayor is worried about his lack of first team chances, he should be trying 100 per cent and performing to the best of his ability to make sure he is one of the first names on the team sheet. The galling fact for Man City fans is that Adebayor is more than capable of doing this if the inclination is there, but it appears as if it is not.

It is also questionable whether there is justification for Adebayor to be so worried about his place in the team. In fact Man City have already released a statement on Twitter regarding their plans for Adebayor this season.

“Take it from us everyone, despite reports, MCFC has no plans to sell Emmanuel Adebayor; our new no 9 for this season – and thats official.”

If Adebayor needed further encouragement there are other factors as well. As of yet Mancini has not signed a new striker this summer; the move for Inter’s Mario Balotelli now seems to have run out of steam. In the current squad Carlos Tevez is probably the first choice striker, but after that it would most likely be Emmanuel Adebayor. City played with two strikers last season and this duo was the preferred partnership, there is no real reason to think it will be massively different this season. Robinho is unlikely to stay at Man City, whilst Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz are also in the transfer frame.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s words are childish and they betray a distinct lack of team spirit in the player. Adebayor will have plenty of chances to play this season, but it is not up to the manager to guarantee him a place in the first eleven. Adebayor will need to perform and exert himself if he wants to play this season, but this should be taken as standard and not an optional extra as it appears Adebayor perceives it. The fact is that many Arsenal fans were not too sad to see Adebayor go to Man City last summer, as although he had doubtless ability, he also had a bad attitude that City fans are now bearing witness to.

If you liked this article please follow me on Twitter. Or subcribe to my RSS feed.

With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has acknowledged that the games against Estonia could be his last in charge of the nation, and states that his side are ready.

The emerald isle take on Estonia in a back-to-back tie to decide which of the country’s will compete in Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

When asked if he was aware of the importance of the games in respect to his future with the nation, the Italian coach was unequivocal with his retort.

“Yes, yes,” he told Sky Sports.

“But I am not nervous about this because I know football. I was talking the other day about standing on the edge of the cliffs – that’s our life, it’s a manager’s life.

“Our life is dangerous. I have a habit of looking down on dangerous situations.

“But I think I will live, if not here, then maybe there is another. I don’t know where, but sure, I am not stopping here,” he stated.

Trapattoni has admitted that if his side do qualify for the European Championships it would be a source for great pride.

“In football every Sunday, or in England Saturday, you see little teams beat the great teams. That’s football. For me, it is no surprise.

“But we must think these 180 minutes is our life, players, manager, the Irish people.

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“I will be very proud if we achieve this result because it means up until now we have done our jobs well,” he finished.

By Gareth McKnight

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Yesterday saw John Terry in his first press conference since being reinstated as England captain and the Chelsea defender was as defiant as ever, with what he said being analysed in great detail by the British press today.

Elsewhere in the sports pages of the country’s newspapers, the link between Daniele De Rossi and Manchester United has emanated once again, while Roberto Mancini is reported to be lining up a replacement for Manchester City bad boy Mario Balotelli, and could Guus Hiddink be set to return to Stamford Bridge in the near future?

Terry defiant over actions at World Cup – Daily Mirror

Man United set for £18m move for Italian midfielder – Daily Telegraph

Mancini has already identified replacement for Balotelli – Daily Star

Guus Hiddink could be set for shock Chelsea return – The Sun

van der Vaart expects substitution storm to blow over – Daily Mail

Man United’s parent company posts record losses – Guardian

Mourinho has unfinished business in England – Daily Telegraph

Arsenal seal deal for young defender – Daily Mail

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Ferdinand could return to Upton Park – Daily Mirror

Terracing could be reintroduced to English football – Guardian

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Luis Fabiano has come out today and told the world that he would like nothing more than to join Tottenham this summer (despite previously dismissing a move a few weeks back) claiming that the North London outfit are a smaller team than Sevilla…does he have no shame?

The Brazilian has attracted many top clubs this summer after producing good performances in the World Cup finals in South Africa earlier this month.

Manchester United, Milan and of course Spurs all expressed their interest in acquiring the striker’s services, after he made it clear that he will be leaving Spain during the summer window. However, with his favoured moves to both Milan and United now looking remote as the days go by, the Brazilian has made a dramatic u-turn and opted for a move to Whit Hart Lane instead. Speaking to ESPN today, the striker stated:

“I must admit it’s only in the last few weeks I have understood just how big Spurs’ ambition is.”

You can’t help but burst out with laughter after reading the striker comments, especially after dismissing the move to Spurs altogether. A few months ago he slated Spurs and their ambitions, now the 29-year-old is praising them because other interests have cooled down. Harry Redknapp will not mind this of course, all the Englishman is concerned about is bringing in the right faces for the club this summer and Fabiano is possibly one of them. Redknapp pinpointed the striker as a possible target this summer which could help the club in their European adventures and of course domestic competitions.

In regards to Fabiano’s latest comments, it’s clear to see that players in today’s modern game have no shame. Footballers love to tout themselves from club to club even if they have already slated or belittled an interested club one week, and want to join them the next. Javier Mascherano is a fine example of a player that does this on a weekly basis. The midfielder is constantly yapping on about how he would love to play for Barcelona or Inter Milan this upcoming season but struggles to remember that he is in fact a Liverpool player. Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin is another example of a player that clearly wants a move away from the North London outfit, and the only way he’s going to get it is by praising other clubs in the process. Emmanuel Adebayor was also tipped to make a move to A.C Milan before he signed for money-bags Manchester City last season.

Luis Fabiano isn’t the only shameful footballer that has ever readjusted his appraisal of a club in order for a move; in fact it has become somewhat of a trend these days, as shown by the examples above. Fabiano couldn’t obtain his preferred move to either United or Milan this season, so is now settling for second best, which in this case is Spurs. The simple truth is footballers will do anything and everything in order to get what they want, even if it means looking like a complete idiot which Fabiano looks right now.

What do you guys think of players touting for moves?

Follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TMer4kl1

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Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer

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Chelsea, still smarting over their embarrassing defeat at home to Arsenal last week, travel to relegation threatened Blackburn with boss Steve Kean expected to bear the brunt of more fan protests.

Rovers were seconds away from beating Norwich at Carrow Road last week only to see a farcical penalty las awarded against Steven N’Zonzi at the death with Grant Holt scoring to send them home with one point instead of three. Their performance warranted more than what they eventually got but being pegged back after leading 3-1 and being on the end of poor refereeing decisions is part and parcel of life at the bottom. Kean must feel the whole world is against him at the moment with several thousand Blackburn fans continuing to remind him of their displeasure over his tenure as boss. Despite his critics being a touch on the harsh side their anger could be justified with the fact they’ve won just one Premier League game all season and just three in the 24 they’ve played since January. The fact is that they continue to leak goals at an alarming rate despite a defence possessing Christopher Samba, Ryan Nelsen and summer signing Scott Dann who could be in for a second relegation in successive seasons after he went down with Birmingham in the last campaign. Coming up a gainst a Chelsea side desperate to bounce back after two defeats on the trot isn’t ideal for Kean and another defeat will surely force the clubs Indian owners to bring his job under review despite stating they wouldn’t sack him for the duration of his two year contract. Their record against the Blues doesn’t provoke much confidence with only one win in 16 top-flight meetings.

Andre Villas-Boas’ side are unbeaten in their last 10 against Rovers but shouldn’t go into this game thinking it’s going to be a guaranteed three points. Their last two performances have been well under-par with their Portuguese coach coming under increasing pressure to turn things around at Stamford Bridge. They surrendered third place last week after they were overtaken by Newcastle and will be out to reclaim their spot and keep themselves in with a chance of challenging for the title. One thing Villas-Boas needs to addresses the defence after they were carved open again and again by Arsenal last Saturday. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 games since the opening day of the season with 15 goals conceded in the process with the fragile performances of John Terry causing concern. The back line was unable to cope with the Gunners pace or creativity with Ashley Cole also experienced an afternoon to forget up against Theo Walcott.  It’s a far cry from the days of Jose Mourinho where Terry was virtually impenetrable and the game plan was to snuff out the opposition attack rather than score goals. I’d expect Chelsea to adopt a similar approach at Ewood Park and play for a 1-0 like they used to do under the Special One. That could mean a reshuffle up top with Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba all battling for a place in attack with Villas-Boas likely to chose one out for four to lead the line.

Key Players

Junior Hoilett – It’s easy to point out that the Canadian winger has been Rovers’ best player this season. His pace and tricker on the wing is vital to the way they attack and his stunning goal at Norwich last week and he’ll be looking to do a similar job to the one carried out by Walcott on Cole last week.

Frank Lampard – If theres one man that can get Chelsea out of their current rut it’s Lampard. His performance last week was top notch with his desire in midfield and passing guile giving the Blues something going forward in what was a lacklustre display. The goals have started to flow again so expect to see him hitting a few long range efforts this week.

Prediction: 1-2

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Blackburn covered 119,527 metres in that game, and a frantic second half that saw six goals scored saw Rovers cover more ground in the second half (60,151m) than in the first half (59,376m) While most teams show a depreciation in distance covered in the second half, Rovers have covered more ground in the latter 45 minutes in 6 of their 10 games this season Frank Lampard has contributed 4 assists, meaning he has had a hand in 43% of Chelsea’s goals this season Lampard is also the top passer in the Chelsea squad, having completed 209 passes (one every 3 minutes 57 seconds) and has covered mnore ground than any Chelsea player other than Ashley Cole and John Terry for the Chelsea cause

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