Roy Hodgson has admitted that he is looking beyond Euro 2012, and that the project he has taken on with the national side is one for the long-term.
The new manager started his stint as England boss with a 1-0 win over Norway on Saturday, and will now lead the nation into the European Championships after one last friendly against Belgium.
However, The Telegraph indicate that Hodgson will travel to Brazil after Euro 2012 to look at potential training bases for the next World Cup.
The former West Brom trainer has admitted that although England are eager to have a successful tournament in Poland and Ukraine, the competition is not the be-all and end-all.
“I am looking beyond the Euros. The fact is I signed a contract to do this job over the coming years, up to and including the 2014 World Cup, so I have my sights firmly fixed on the future.
“I also want to do well in the Euros with the team and I will try to get the team as well-organised and well-prepared as I can. But I am not prepared to make the Euros the be-all and end-all,” he confessed.
Meanwhile, Gareth Barry will undergo scans on an injured groin on Monday, with The Guardian stating that Phil Jagielka will be called up to the contingent should the Manchester City man be ruled out.
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Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that EA SPORTS™ FIFA 14 will feel alive with players who think, move and behave like world-class footballers, and dynamic stadiums that come to life, on Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation®4.
Fuelled by EA SPORTS™ IGNITE, which blends new technology with the best rendering, run-time physics, animation, intelligence, locomotion and online systems from across EA into one powerful, new engine, FIFA 14 will elevate its award-winning gameplay to new heights.
For the first time ever, fans will feel the electricity of a living stadium, and experience the majesty of the world’s greatest football theatres. Players now have four times the decision making ability than the current generation of footballers in EA SPORTS FIFA, enabling each player to have Pro Instincts—human-like reactions, anticipation, and instincts.
The leap forward in intelligence is matched by innovations that deliver true player motion. Now in FIFA 14, every step matters with Precision Movement that enables players to explode out of each step and every turn like real athletes, preserving their natural momentum. Plus, the artistry and athleticism of footballers will come to life with Elite Technique that world class players express in every match.
“Innovation is the engine that drives our FIFA team and this year we’re building the most technologically advanced and authentic sports experience in history,” said David Rutter, Executive Producer of the EA SPORTS FIFA franchise. “FIFA 14 on next gen consoles will feel alive with players who possess human-like intelligence, reactions and instincts, players who move and behave like real athletes, and stadiums that buzz with electricity and excitement.”
FIFA 14 will have stunning accuracy and visuals and the world inside the stadium comes alive as the emotions of new 3D crowds rise and fall around the stories on the pitch. Players are also aware of the match and what needs to be done to get a result—their sense of urgency increases as the match draws on, and if a goal is needed, they rush to take a throw-in, corner or goal-kick if time is running down.
Players in FIFA 14 will make intelligent decisions with human-like anticipation and reaction times. All 22 players on the pitch possess Pro Instincts to anticipate and react to the play around them, just like world-class footballers. Players will move more instinctively with the ball, anticipating and reacting to tackles by skipping over out-stretched legs to avoid collisions, using stiff arms to fend-off defenders or to brace for collisions, and turning their bodies to brush through contact. Defenders will anticipate moves to seal off opponents and intercept passes, and slow down attackers by hooking or holding an arm.
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With 10 times more animation depth and detail, EA SPORTS IGNITE delivers the dynamic movements and biomechanics of the world’s best footballers. Precision Movement enables players to plant, pivot and cut, and explode out of each step. The fidelity of movement has a game-changing effect on gameplay. Players feel more grounded, agile and athletic, and manage their momentum with distinct foot plants and push-offs, bringing the authentic motion of professional footballers to FIFA 14.
Harnessing the power and memory of the new consoles, FIFA 14 also delivers Elite Technique—hundreds of new skills, including new types of shots like side volleys, deflections and first time screamers, and new types of passes, such as touch, over-head, slice and lobs. Hundreds of new behaviours include trapping the ball in stride at pace, panic turns when defenders are beaten, off-balance shots, missed shot reactions, and more are a result of the massive increase in memory of the new consoles.
On-loan Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett is reportedly a summer transfer target for Championship outfit Fulham who look all but set for an instant return to the top-flight.
What’s the latest?
According to Football League World, the West London outfit are monitoring the happenings of the English left-back who joined Newcastle on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season in January.
With Marco Silva’s side 12 points clear of the Championship playoff spots with 12 games to go, the Cottagers look all but set for a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, having been relegated last season.
Therefore, plans for the English top-tier are already being made and it appears as though Targett, who spent the second half of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Craven Cottage, is being targeted for a return to Fulham, this time on a permanent basis.
Newcastle must try to keep Targett
After Aston Villa signed Lucas Digne from Everton in January, Targett immediately requested that he go on loan in order to ensure game time, joining Newcastle for the remainder of the campaign.
It was certainly a surprise, with the left-back subject to a showering of praise from Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor last season.
“In the last 15 years, he’s the best left-back Villa have had,” said the former striker. “Even during my time and the left-backs I played with, I look at Matt Targett and he’s the best we’ve had in the last 15 years since I made my debut.”
“He’s really comfortable on the ball, if he can continue to put in these performances then there is 100 per cent no reason why he can’t get into the England squad.”
Thus far, the 26-year-old has been a revelation at St.James’ Park, playing every minute for the Magpies bar their 1-0 win over Villa for which the Englishman was ineligible. As a result, he’s certainly lived up to the words that pundit Noel Whelan threw his way after signing, saying: “I think he’ll make a massive difference for them.”
Therefore, if Newcastle fail to sign the defender permanently and he heads elsewhere, it would be nothing short of an early disaster and blunder for their incoming director of football, Dan Ashworth.
With the Toon Army on an excellent run of five wins in their last six, the left-back has been a major contributor and should certainly be in the conversation of a permanent move in the summer.
There have been reports suggesting that the Magpies will look to make Targett’s stay in the North-East permanent, however, it will also be down to who PIF choose to spend their money.
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It seems as though the £35k-per-week English left-back’s tenure at Villa Park is over after the arrival of Digne, therefore a permanent move will certainly be possible for either Newcastle or Fulham.
Despite having numerous options there, Newcastle will need to sign a new left-back in the summer, with Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie and Jamal Lewis the alternatives after Targett.
None of which have impressed this campaign, hence why Howe opted to swoop for the Aston Villa defender. However, it remains to be seen as to whether or not the Newcastle board opt to sign Targett permanently or seek a higher quality, more expensive player.
If the Magpies are keen to keep the 26-year-old, then they will have to stand firm and contest Fulham for the Englishman’s signature on a permanent basis.
In other news: Newcastle learn the latest on Callum Wilson’s fitness
An offer is now being readied from Antonio Conte and Tottenham Hotspur to try and sign Gleison Bremer in the summer.
The Lowdown: Centre-back eyed
With the future of Joe Rodon in doubt, it looks as if Spurs will try and buy a centre-back for Conte this summer.
Stefan de Vrij and Josko Gvardiol are the latest names to be linked with a move to Hotspur Way, and it will be interesting to see what kind of calibre of player the club can attract, depending on where they finish in the Premier League and what (if any) European competition they will be playing in next season.
The Latest: Offer ready
As per Tutto Juve, Tottenham would ‘try to convince’ Bremer and Torino to move in the summer with a ‘good proposal’, and their interest in the player is ‘predominant’.
However, they will face competition from Manchester United, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan for his signature.
The Verdict: Get it done
If the Lilywhites are going to sign a centre-back, then they should look no further than Bremer.
Described as an ‘animal’ by fellow Torino defender Mergim Vojvoda, the 6 foot 2 powerhouse is currently averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.23 in Serie A this season. That is only bettered by Son Heung-Min among Spurs players in the Premier League (7.31), and interestingly the South Korean shares the same agent as Bremer.
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The Brazilian is also averaging more aerial duels won and interceptions per game than anyone at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which suggests that he would be a big upgrade in Conte’s defence.
In other news, find out who Conte has lost patience with at N17
Rangers have been handed an injury lift ahead of their return to action at Ibrox on Thursday night…
What’s the latest?
Gers boss Gio van Bronckhorst has revealed that Steven Davis is the only confirmed absentee for their UEFA Europa League clash.
He has admitted that there are question marks over others but has not completely ruled them out, with this coming after blows to Amad Diallo and Aaron Ramsey in recent weeks.
The club’s official Twitter account quoted him as saying: “Davis is not available as he has an injury. We have a couple doubts for tomorrow but we will be fine.”
Buzzing
Ibrox supporters will be buzzing with this news as it is a big boost for multiple reasons.
Firstly, they will be delighted to learn that there have been no major issues following on from the 1-0 win over Aberdeen at the weekend.
It was a scrappy game as the away side committed 16 fouls and received three yellow cards, which may have left some supporters anxious as to whether or not any of the players came out of the match with knocks that would see them miss out against Red Star Belgrade.
Instead, every player appears to have come out of it relatively unscathed and van Bronckhorst will have a full squad to pick from aside from Davis and long-term absentee Ianis Hagi. This will give him plenty of options to name in his starting XI, whilst also allowing him to utilise his bench if needed on the night.
Supporters will also be buzzing to know that Ramsey will be available for selection and has not suffered another setback. He has only played ten minutes in the Europa League for the Gers so far and fans will surely be eager to see him add to that on Thursday night.
The Wales international produced six goals and three assists in his last 13 appearances in the competition with Arsenal and this suggests that he has the quality to make a big impact at this level.
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He has shown throughout his career, with 142 direct goal contributions for the Gunners and Juventus combined, that he can score and create goals and fans will be keen to see that for the Scottish giants between now and the end of the campaign.
They will also be pleased with this news as it suggests that Amad Diallo has overcome his knock. He has struggled since joining on loan from Manchester United but he is a young player and it may take him a little bit longer to bed in. The sooner he gets back out on the pitch the sooner he can turn things around and prove his ability.
AND in other news, GvB could save Rangers millions in “clinical” 26-goal teen with “pure enthusiasm”…
Over the last few years Rangers haven’t exactly had a problem with goals, with the Ibrox club rattling the back of the net on a regular basis under the stewardship of Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his predecessor Steven Gerrard.
Last term, the Gers scored 92 times in the Scottish top-flight, a record that happened to be 14 more goals than their fierce Old Firm rivals.
They are tracking five behind Celtic this season but there is a belief that they still have the firepower to win the title for a successive season.
After all, they have Alfredo Morelos in their team, the ‘jungle cat’ who has been terrorising Premiership defences for years now.
However, the Colombian continues to be linked with a move away and it feels inevitable that in the not too distant future, the Glaswegian club may decide to mutually part ways.
Should that happen, then Rangers will need to identify an urgent replacement for their current star striker.
Yet, they may have already had their ideal successor right in front of their very eyes if a piece of transfer business had gone according to plan back in 2020.
The player in question is Brentford’s Ivan Toney, a forward who caught the interest of both Old Firm clubs 18 or so months ago.
The 25-year-old admitted himself that the Gers were an option, telling talkSPORT: “Like you said, I was going to sign for Celtic – but I was also going to sign for Rangers.”
It was a piece of news that left Ally McCoist stunned, as he exclaimed the following in response: “Oh, you’ve killed me! I didn’t know that, man!”
Indeed, that reaction is never more apt right now as Toney’s value is skyrocketing in England following a £6.5m move to Brentford in the same summer. He has since been linked with pastures new again after starring at the top level in the Premier League, with some reports suggesting he could cost in the region of £50m.
It’s safe to say the Bees frontman is living up to the hype, with Peterborough director, Barry Fry, telling Football FanCast last year: “He’s so humble, he just wants to improve all the time and play and whether it’s with Brentford or anybody else, Ivan will go to the top and be an international player there’s no question about that. He was Golden Boot winner in League One, he’s Golden Boot winner in the Championship, he’ll be Golden Boot winner in the Premier League one day, no doubt about that at all in my mind.”
Toney isn’t quite at the level to win a Golden Boot just yet but with 11 top-flight goals to his name throughout the current campaign, he is the league’s joint-fifth top scorer.
That’s certainly an eye-catching statistic but so is the 33 goals he scored last term, a tally that will no doubt be leaving a sense of regret amongst the Rangers recruitment team.
If he could do that at Championship level then it’s safe to say the England hopeful will have been able to record similar numbers in the Scottish Premiership.
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Now heading towards his peak years, the Gers would have had a player in their ranks who could help them dominate the SPFL for a good few years.
Of course, they did win the title last season but such is Toney’s surepme consistency that they’d surely be racing away with things in 2021/22 as well.
He is certainly one that got away for Ross Wilson and co.
AND in other news, GvB has “outstanding” Goldson replacement for Rangers in “wonderful” £3.1k-p/w tank…
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly now begun talks to sign Hugo Ekitike this summer.
The Lowdown: Breakthrough season
Ekitike is having somewhat of a breakthrough season with Reims in Ligue 1, where he has managed nine goals and pitch in three assists in total in the division so far (Transfermarkt).
So much so, that the likes of Newcastle United and West Ham came knocking in the January transfer window, and more clubs are now set to follow suit in the summer.
The Latest: Tottenham talks
As per Calciomercato, Spurs have begun to build talks with Reims over Ekitike, along with North London rivals Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Marseille, Lyon and PSG are also thought to be in the mix for his signature, which is thought to cost in the region of €20m (£16.7m).
The Verdict: Bargain
Considering that a £33m deal for Ekitike to go to St. James’ Park fell through on deadline day, to get him for essentially half the price would prove to be a bargain.
The 19-year-old has had no shortage of praise, as his manager Oscar Garcia called him a ‘very special’ player earlier in the campaign, while many in France believe that he could be the ‘next Mbappe’.
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There are similarities to how Kylian Mbappe broke onto the scene as a French teenager at AS Monaco, and if Ekitike turns out to be anything like the player Mbappe is now, then the Lilywhites would have a real gem on their hands.
In other news, find out what injury ‘worry’ is now a ‘real problem’ for THFC here!
Manchester United will be without Edinson Cavani for this evening’s visit of Leicester City to Old Trafford.
What’s the latest?
Ahead of the clash against Brendan Rodgers’ side, the Red Devils interim boss was giving team news updates as the Premier League resumes following the latest international break.
Speaking in the press conference at Carrington, Rangnick said that his international players “all seem to be fit” but then declared that “the only player who is injured, unfortunately again, is Edinson Cavani.”
Cavani was injured on international duty with Uruguay and was forced off with calf problem in the first half of his country’s recent clash against Chile.
On the extent of the 35-year-old’s injury, Rangnick said: “According to the doctor, he will be out for a couple of weeks, four weeks, maybe even five weeks. So we will have to wait and see. That’s obviously bad news to have another striker missing out. Apart from that, all the others seem to be fit.”
Rangnick will be raging
With just nine games to go, United are up against it in the race for Champions League qualification, trailing fourth-placed Arsenal by four points having played one match more.
Although Leicester’s defence has been rather porous this term and Cavani has rarely started in the top flight, Rangnick would have ideally liked to have the Uruguayan at his disposal this evening.
Since joining United, the veteran striker has had a big impact. In total, he has scored 19 goals for the Red Devils, and whilst that is impressive for a 35-year-old who is past his prime, it’s his effect on United’s pressing ability which has truly made him stand out.
With around five pressures per game, his work rate is second to none at Old Trafford, although it’s his successful pressure percentage per 90 of 36.7% which makes him one of the best in this metric, with the Uruguayan ranked within the 99th percentile among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues.
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Cavani is not just an industrious workhorse in the final third, either. Red Devils legend Paul Scholes has hailed the veteran’s “perfect first touch” and drawn comparisons with another lethal marksman of old in these parts in Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Therefore, with such a crucial fixture coming up this evening, Rangnick will be raging that the Uruguay marksman was struck with injury in midweek and has duly been ruled out for the visit of Leicester, who have won their last three meetings against United in all competitions.
In other news – Man Utd facing disaster over “phenomenal” £31.5m-rated star, supporters will be fuming
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly now fighting Arsenal to sign Omar Marmoush this summer.
The Lowdown: Kane alternative needed
Given that Harry Kane is the only recognised out-and-out striker at the club, Antonio Conte surely needs to bring in another forward in the summer for when his star man is not available.
The Athletic journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Spurs are indeed looking for a back-up to the England international captain, among a number of other positions that they would like to strengthen.
The Latest: Marmoush eyed
As per Bild (via Sport Witness), the Lilywhites are one of a number of teams that are ‘closely monitoring’ Marmoush’s progress at Stuttgart, where he is on loan from Wolfsburg.
North London rivals Arsenal are also thought to have him ‘on their shopping list’, and he is considered to be a ‘major asset’ for both his club and his country, Egypt.
Bild note that he ‘stormed’ alongside Liverpool’s own Egyptian king Mohamed Salah at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, where they were beaten in the final by Senegal.
They claim that Marmoush is ‘lightning-fast’, and he has ‘dreamed’ of playing in the Premier League since he was a child.
The Verdict: Sign him up?
Marmoush is not the most prolific, having only managed three goals so far this season, and 29 in total at youth and senior level for club and country combined (Transfermarkt).
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However, he is only 23 years of age, and clearly shows a lot of promise from his performances on the international stage especially.
Kane would be the perfect mentor for Marmoush, and given that he is currently only rated at £4.05m, Antonio Conte’s team could end up getting him on the cheap.
In other news, find out which ‘brilliant’ ace THFC are now eyeing here!
Celtic have now reportedly set their sights on welcoming a Serie A striker to fulfil Wilfried Nancy’s request to sign attacking reinforcements in January.
Nancy: "I don't have to prove anything" at Celtic
On paper, choosing to welcome a new manager ahead of a title clash against Hearts, a Europa League game against AS Roma and the Scottish Cup final against St. Mirren always looked like a bold decision. And whilst fortune favours the bold, there’s no denying that Celtic may be regretting their timing.
Nancy entered Glasgow ahead of two of Celtic’s biggest games of the season so far and has become the first manager in their history to lose in his first three games as a result. Despite instant criticism, however, he’s insisted that he has nothing to prove in the Scottish Premiership.
The January transfer window will be crucial if the Bhoys are to turn things around and Nancy has already set his sights on attacking additions such as Younnes Ebnoutalib and now Giuseppe Ambrosino.
Celtic still eyeing Giuseppe Ambrosino move
According to Il Mattino and CalcioNapoli24, as relayed by Sport Witness, Celtic have set their sights on signing Ambrosino from Napoli after already holding talks with his agent in the summer.
Peter Lawwell has stepped down from his role at the club this week, but it seems their summer interest in the Italian has not waned despite the change at board level.
Lawwell drops bombshell parting dig at one thing he "cannot accept" about Celtic
Fans are delighted…
ByBen Goodwin
Indeed, The Bhoys are still eyeing the Serie A forward in an attempt to satisfy Nancy’s request for a new striker in January. With Romelu Lukaku set to return from injury in Naples, they could have the perfect opportunity to land Abrosino on loan this winter.
Although the 22-year-old has struggled for game time under Antonio Conte, his former U19s coach Emmanuel Cascione had nothing but positives to say earlier this year.
He told reporters when asked about Ambrosino: “When I arrived on the Napoli Primavera bench, the decision was to let him go. He wasn’t that well-liked.
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“I opposed it because I saw some special qualities in him, even though there was still work to be done , especially in terms of his mentality. But he has some important characteristics.
“He’s a technically good player, powerful, he can see the goal, he’s shrewd, crafty. Maybe he needed a bit more physical condition and stamina during matches.”
Celtic flop is looking like a bigger waste of money than Nygren & Tounekti