John Terry should return to action at the weekend when Chelsea face Everton, according to boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The England international has been sidelined since suffering from a nerve problem in his leg after the victory against Fulham earlier this month.
It had been feared that Terry could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Ancelotti has now said:"I hope John Terry will be back for next week.
"He will start to train on Tuesday and I hope everything is okay.
"Obviously we hope to recover John Terry. He is important to us he is a fantastic player, has personality and it is important we have him back for the next game.
"Alex will have the operation this week. He will go to Brazil for the surgery, maybe on Monday.
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"Frank Lampard we have to wait. He will start to train with us and next week will be an important week for him."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Usually, in the build up to a major football tournament, as a nation we like nothing better than to get behind our team. England shirts are in every sports shop, flags hang from houses and every England fan begins to believe that maybe, just maybe, this will be the year where they can finally end that 46-year trophy drought.
This time around, things seem a bit less encapsulating. England aren’t exactly expected to set the European Championships alight this summer. Some even doubt whether they’ll get through the group stages. It seems England fans are resigned to failure, and another wait for a chance at a major tournament.
So what can be done to spread a bit of optimism around the country? Well, what better than an awe-inspiring video that becomes a viral hit?! Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright has been trying to do his bit, with his ‘What if?’ advert for Absolute Radio. It can’t help but raise the question: what if England did manage to pull something out of the bag at Euro 2012?
The video reflects on famous moments in England’s past and illustrates the kind of perseverance England will need if they are to be successful in Poland and Ukraine this summer. Should we turn to Wrighty for inspiration in his quest to get everyone backing England again?
This video is sure to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and have you roaring for England!
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It’s that time of the year when a host of players will be switching clubs and a number of Premier League managers have begun their player recruitment drives in earnest. Young has completed his £17million move from Villa Park, Jordan Henderson has signed for Liverpool in a deal worth £20million and a number of others are likely to follow before the start of the 2011-2012 campaign.
It is inevitable that a number of transfers yet to transpire will raise eyebrows as agents scurry to get their clients the best deals possible. In the past, several players of insufficient quality have been signed for staggering fees which belie their true ability, and with this in mind, here is a list of the top ten most overrated footballers in the game at present…
Click on Kenwyne Jones to reveal my top 10
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he does not know whether Jack Wilshere will sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Wilshere’s current deal with the Gunners will expire at the end of June, and the two parties are yet to come to an agreement.
The midfielder looked to be on his way out of the club in the early stages of the campaign, but he has since worked his way back into favour at Arsenal.
Wenger, whose own future is also under the microscope, has revealed that there is a contract offer on the table for Wilshere, but the Frenchman is unsure whether it will be signed.
Wenger told reporters at his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second leg against AC Milan:
“On my side nothing has changed. Jack will be free at the end of the season, we have made a proposal to him and I want him to stay and be linked with the club for the future, I hope he will do it.”
Wilshere, who is believed to be on £90,000 a week at Arsenal, has scored twice in 30 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners during the 2017-18 campaign.
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The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Bournemouth before returning to the English capital.
Chelsea have long been linked with Roma’s Mattia Destro, but it’s now emerged that Arsenal are firmly in the battle. The Italian is one of his nation’s most highly-rated forwards, and has once again been in decent form for his side of late by notching four Serie A goals.
However, we think Arsenal should avoid Destro, and here are FIVE reasons why…
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CLICK ON THE STRIKER TO REVEAL WHY
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Better options out there…
Even though Destro boasts a decent record in Italian football, there are better options out there for around £20m. West Brom’s Saido Berahino is likely to come in at a similar value, while a fee of around £10m more would land Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli. Both players are more likely to compete with Danny Welbeck for a guaranteed starting berth, while the Baggies ace can also operate from the flank.
No better than Danny Welbeck
Football – Arsenal v Galatasaray – UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday Two Group D – Emirates Stadium, London, England – 14/15 – 1/10/14Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck looking dejectedMandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew CouldridgeEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
As mentioned before, Destro would probably not be a significant upgrade on Welbeck. The Italian’s strengths are present in the 18-yard box, while, as unglamorous as it may sound, ‘Welbz’ offers energy and industry through runs into the channel. His assist for Alexis Sanchez at Swansea was a prime example of the threat the Englishman brings with his selfless playing style.
May not adapt to English football
On the most part Italian strikers have struggled to transfer their abilities across the to the English game. The pace and intensity, although a little cliché, in the Premier League differs from Serie A, and while Gianfranco Zola and a few other have thrived, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini’s struggles at Liverpool right now illustrate the very opposite end of the spectrum.
A central midfielder/centre-back is a more pressing concern
While attracting a striker would be a massive boost for the Gunners, snapping up a centre-back or holding midfielder look to be priorities for Arsene Wenger. A lack of depth at the back has been ruthlessly exposed by injuries so far this term, while the energy now missing from Mikel Arteta’s game is a problem in the engine room. The likes of Fabian Schar and Virgil van Dijk are cost-effective options at the heart of the rearguard, while Christoph Kramer is a rumoured target for the centre of midfield.
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Joel Campbell deserves a chance
After his World Cup heroics over the summer, it seemed a certainty that Campbell would be given his chance this season. However the Costa Rican has barely been given any playing time, leading to inevitable links with a January move away from the club. Campbell has been a Gunners player since 2011, but work permit issues forced a series of loan deal. Now eligible, surely he’s earned a shot?
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confessed that there is not much he can do to keep Demba Ba at the club.
The Senegal international has been heavily linked with a move away from the Premier League outfit, with his much reported buy-out clause tempting the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
It is thought that a fee in the region of £7m will allow Ba to leave St James’ Park, and Pardew admitted that if such a bid is received, the decision will be entirely down to the player himself:
“It’s unfortunate that the contract he has leaves open a lot of questions because we have this clause and every window that comes around, I have to answer the same questions.
“It would be disappointing for him to leave in this window for this club and for his team-mates here, but the decision will be his, ultimately, because that clause is there.
“The most important things we have got with Demba is he is someone who is a goalscorer and he is scoring goals, and that’s very, very important to a side. His commitment to and work-rate for the team, I don’t fault.”
Ba was critical of the Magpies’ current tactics in an interview with Canal+, but Pardew insists that no disciplinary action will be taken against him:
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“It was quoted in England not correctly, and that’s unfair on Demba and unfair on us.
“There will be no disciplinary procedure against him. There was one procedural matter where he could have informed us and should have, really, but that’s neither here nor there.”
For the Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern, forwards don’t come much better than Roberto Firmino, who is rated at £72 million by Transfer Tavern. That begs the question, then: should the Brazilian still be at Liverpool?
After all, on current form, the 26-year-old is up there with the world’s very best. Last season, he bagged a pretty remarkable 15 league goals, which is a testament to his lethality in front of goal. Furthermore, with 7 assists, the Brazilian is clearly contributing to Liverpool’s play in more ways than one, and the attack often begins to struggle without his presence. Given the fact that some of Europe’s best teams have forwards that can only dream of having that sort of impact, it’s fair to say that he deserves to play for a team that is competing on every front.
What do you think of the World Cup so far? Let us know
Liverpool as a club, meanwhile, though they are improving, are hardly a club that is challenging for every trophy that they’re in contention for. They had a great run to the Champions League final last term, but were outclassed in the final, and their form in the Premier League and in the domestic cups was mixed at best. He’s played a key role as Liverpool have continued to develop, but there is somewhat of a disparity between his form and Liverpool’s as a collective.
Not to mention, Firmino’s playstyle is also something to consider. He’s a player that is unique in the context of Europe. He’s not just a goalscoring forward. If anything, he’s much more than that. The way he brilliantly links up with other players, and the amount he runs, means that he would be an invaluable player for most of Europe’s clubs. In particular, the way he links up with a three-man attack would likely entice clubs like Real Madrid, who rely heavily on goal-scoring wingers. Whilst Liverpool are obviously a huge club, it doesn’t come much bigger than a move to Madrid – and there’s no doubting that he’s good enough to turn out for Los Blancos.
Liverpool fans – thoughts?
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Liverpool put themselves into a commanding position in the race to finish in the top four of the English Premier League on Saturday, beating Newcastle 2-0 at Anfield to go seven points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea.
Knowing the Blues have a hugely difficult match away to Manchester City on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp’s side knew victory was a must against the Magpies and didn’t disappoint, scoring a goal in each half to secure the victory.
Their attacking talents took centre stage once again, but another player supporters were raving about was teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With 21 appearances this season, the 19-year-old has emerged as a trusted member of Klopp’s team and was in classy form against Newcastle, easily intercepting the opposition and having a go in attack down the right flank.
Still not the finished article, fans are nonetheless delighted with his progress and can’t wait to see how he develops no he has cemented his place as first choice right-back.
Alongside Andy Robertson, the Reds have two of the best young full-backs in the league and supporters couldn’t be happier.
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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…
With the future of Glen Johnson still unknown, it is tipped that he will be leaving Anfield either in January or once his contract expires at the end of the current campaign with Roma keen on acquiring his services.
It is likely that Brendan Rodgers will want to cash in on the England right-back before losing him for free so that he can use his sale in the hopes of reinforcing his wing back role as well as his shaky defence.
So, if Johnson decides to depart during the upcoming transfer window, here are five possible replacements Rodgers should consider when preparing his team for the second half of the season.
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CLICK ON NATHANIEL CLYNE TO SEE THE FULL LIST
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Mattia de Sciglio
//www.youtube.com/embed/Ych46xXpu3o
Name: Mattia de Sciglio
Age: 22
Position: Right / Left Back
Nationality: Italy
Club: AC Milan
Price: £10 – £15 million
Mattia de Sciglio should be a strong contender to replace Glen Johnson as he has already featured for the Italian national team on 17 occasions despite being only 22; he still has so much room for improvement and could very well become the next long term Liverpool right back.
He surely has the potential due to the fact that La Liga giants Real Madrid are also monitoring his situation so Brendan Rodgers may need to act fast with the January window closing in.
Dani Alves
//www.youtube.com/embed/AgWpBqV708I
Name: Dani Alves
Age: 31
Position: Right Back
Nationality: Brazil
Club: Barcelona
Price: £6 – £8 million
Although Dani Alves is already 31, he is still regarded as a quality right back with huge experience due to his trophy-filled years playing at Barcelona. He is sometimes criticised for his lack of defensive contributions, but he definitely makes up for that with his ability to attack, scoring and creating goals as though he was a winger.
Tipped to leave the Catalan giants in the near future, Liverpool face though competition from Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea, all of whom are interested in adding him to their ranks for a cut-price deal.
Stephan Lichtsteiner
//www.youtube.com/embed/e25IrtVb9BI
Name: Stephan Lichtsteiner
Age: 30
Position: Right Back
Nationality: Switzerland
Club: Juventus
Price: £8 – £10 million (asking price)
The experienced Stephan Lichtsteiner could be a great addition for Liverpool with his high work rate as well as his attacking and defensive qualities. He is a type of player who is never scared to get stuck in and make last ditch tackles and is often seen playing further up, sometimes like a winger.
Last season he managed to score two goals and provide eight in 24 starts for Juventus and is well on his way to replicating his form again this season, netting two and creating four in his nine starts.
Martin Montoya
//www.youtube.com/embed/VGa-SuCkQVw
Name: Martin Montoya
Age: 23
Position: Right / Left Back
Nationality: Spain
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Club: Barcelona
Price: £16 million (buyout clause)
Another young right back Liverpool can consider is Barcelona’s Martin Montoya, a player that has already proven his quality despite very limited playing time at the Camp Nou. Since Brendan Rodgers is still unsure who his usual wing back pairing are, the ability for him to play on both sides on the defence can be seen as a huge boost.
Having only made one appearance this season and just 12 last season, a possible switch to Anfield could mean that he is given a lot more regular first team opportunities, increasing his chances of a bigger role for his national side.
Nathaniel Clyne
//www.youtube.com/embed/kTzoYIBfhGA
Name: Nathaniel Clyne
Age: 23
Position: Right Back
Nationality: England
Club: Southampton
Price: £14 – £18 million
Having already bought three Southampton players during the summer, Liverpool may regret not signing Nathaniel Clyne as well because he is now currently seen as England’s best right back. He featured in all 11 matches for the Saints this season and is enjoying his football as his team now sit in second place of the Premier League.
Due to his recent call-up to the national team as well as his rise in form, Ronald Koeman knows that interest in Clyne is on the rise as he is urging the club to offer him a new deal in order to make sure he stays. However, with Brendan Rodgers needing a quality right back, there is no better Englishman for the job.
Liverpool midfielder Lucas has targeted a run of good results in December to help the club qualify for the Champions League.
The Brazilian returned from a lengthy injury absence during the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday.
His restoration gave the club’s midfield a greater feeling of solidity and with some winnable games coming up over the festive period, he believes that the Merseysiders could shoot up the table:
“It shows the Premier League is very tight at the moment,” He said when talking about Liverpool being just seven points off of third spot.
“The gap to third place is not too bad. If we had had a few more wins we would be closer but we can’t change that.
“We have a lot of games now and if we can get three or four wins in a row I think we will be very close to the top four.
“We just have to think to move on to get more points, especially in the crucial time which is coming.
“If we can turn draws into wins it will be even better but we have to keep believing as there are a lot of positive things at the moment.”
Lucas believes that his presence in the midfield will improve the club’s attacking displays:
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“My role is especially key for players like Stevie and Joe, Jordan Henderson, Nuri Sahin and Jonjo Shelvey – the offensive players.
“When you have a player who is not really a holding midfielder (Allen performed the role in Lucas’ absence) the players feel maybe feel a bit worried to join the attack and leave too much space
“If I give that opportunity for them to shine I will be very happy.”