Liverpool Boss Plans £35m Triple Premier League Swoop: Dalglish Targets Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Blackpool Stars

Anfield boss lines up trio of new additions.

Liverpool are planning a triple Premier League swoop as they look to improve his Anfield squad this summer. The club’s new owners are ready to hand boss Kenny Dalglish significant funds and the Scot will make moves to sign Blackpool playmaker Charlie Adam, Birmingham City defender Scott Dann and Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing.

Dalglish is hoping to add more natural wide options to his attack having seen the likes of Maxi, Milan Jovanovic and Joe Cole fail to make an impact and will therefore look to lure England international Downing to Merseyside and given the poor season the Midlands club have had this season could help to tempt the former Middlesbrough man to make a move to Liverpool.

Kenny Dalglish is also keen to beef up his defensive options and given that Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Jamie Carragher are both over 30 and that Daniel Agger is plagued with knocks a move to bring in further central defensive options makes a great deal of sense and the Liverpool manager has identified Scott Dann as a potential target.

The 24 year old England hopeful has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since January and has for the past season and a half formed a solid partnership with Roger Johnson and the Liverpool born defender would surely be tempted by a move to his home-town club.

The third target on Dalglish’s radar is Blackpool playmaker Charlie Adam who is likely to leave Bloomfield Road this summer regardless of whether the Tangerines avoid the drop but Liverpool will have to fight the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham who are also both keen on the Scottish international.

source

Read more...

Premier League round-up

Wayne Rooney inspired a Manchester United comeback at West Ham, Chelsea drew with Stoke and Birmingham climbed out of the bottom three.

On a potentially pivotal day in the title race and relegation battle, West Brom manager Roy Hodgson tasted victory over former employers Liverpool, Newcastle got the better of Wolves, Tottenham were held by Wigan and there was major controversy at Goodison Park.

Manchester United had the opportunity to pile pressure on their rivals as they took to the field at Upton Park in the day's early kick-off, but in the end were indebted to a second-half hat-trick from Rooney as West Ham let slip a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2.

Avram Grant's improving Hammers had knocked the Red Devils out of the Carling Cup earlier this season and looked set to seal another shock victory which would have significantly boosted their survival hopes.

Mark Noble scored both their goals from the penalty spot, the first after a Patrice Evra handball and the second after a Nemaja Vidic foul on Carlton Cole, when the Serbian protested that it had occurred outside the area.

United needed something special in the second half and it was provided by a resurgent Rooney, who reduced their arrears with a curling free-kick on 65 minutes.

The England striker equalised with a high-class second after latching onto Antonio Valencia's pass, before putting United in front with a penalty of his own following a harsh handball decision against Matthew Upson.

Rooney's treble came in a breathtaking 14-minute period, and there was still time for substitute Javier Hernandez to add a fourth for United.

Chelsea were unable to respond to United's victory in the manner they wanted as the Blues' title dreams faded following a 1-1 draw with Stoke.

Jon Walters broke the deadlock for the Potters with a stunning solo effort on eight minutes, skipping away down the left before cutting inside and coolly firing past Petr Cech.

Fernando Torres had started on the bench for Chelsea after failing to score since his £50million January switch, and Carlo Ancelotti's selection was vindicated as Didier Drogba athletically headed in an equaliser from Nicolas Anelka's cross.

But Chelsea could not complete the turnaround despite carving out a number of excellent chances, as Stoke held on to maintain their good record at the Britannia Stadium and leave Carlo Ancelotti's side trailing United by 11 points, albeit with a game in hand.

Hodgson admitted this week that his Liverpool reign was not helped by the presence of Kenny Dalglish behind the scenes at Anfield, but the West Brom manager came out on top in their battle of wits at The Hawthorns following a 2-1 triumph that will go a long way toward retaining the Midlands club's Premier League status.

Dalglish's Reds have been in decent form of late but were frustrated in a goalless first half which also saw defenders Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson withdrawn due to injury.

They did not have to wait much longer to make the breakthrough though, as Martin Skrtel directed a header beyond Scott Carson from Raul Meireles' corner.

Chris Brunt drew the Baggies level just after the hour mark with a penalty after Sotirios Kyrgiakos had clumsily brought down Peter Odemwingie just inside the area.

Another spot-kick then proved decisive, as Brunt hammered home his second effort of the afternoon after Reina tripped Odemwingie.

Wolves' fine recent run came to an end as Newcastle eased their own relegation fears with an emphatic 4-1 success at St James' Park.

Kevin Nolan made a well-timed run from midfield to seize on a Shola Ameobi flick-on and place his shot past Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey midway through the first half to give Newcastle the lead.

Wolves' frail defence was again exposed on the stroke of half-time when Ameobi rose highest at the back post to powerfully nod home Peter Lovenkrands' left-wing delivery.

Lovenkrands then got in on the act with a third for Newcastle in the 50th minute, before Sylvan Ebanks-Blake pulled one back for the visitors.

Jonas Gutierrez completed the rout for the Magpies late on to further dent Wolves' goal difference.

Birmingham picked up a vital 2-1 victory over Bolton to move out of the drop zone and gain revenge for their FA Cup exit at the hands of the Trotters last month.

Birmingham have slipped into deeper Premier League trouble since winning the Carling Cup at the end of February but in Kevin Phillips they have a player with experience of tough situations, and the veteran striker gave them an ideal start with a fourth-minute strike that proved too powerful for Jussi Jaaskelainen to keep out.

Craig Gardner made it 2-0 with a fine effort off the post in the 59th minute, only for Johan Elmander to respond for Bolton courtesy of a volley 11 minutes later.

Bolton battled hard in an effort to rescue a point but Birmingham held firm to take the spoils.

Everton and Aston Villa both had reason to feel aggrieved at refereeing decisions following a dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park which is sure to reopen the debate into goal-line technology.

Darren Bent's slick double looked set to seal victory for Villa and put an end to talk of a revolt against manager Gerard Houllier, but Leighton Baines salvaged a point for Everton after match official Mike Jones controversially adjudged that Jean Makoun had fouled Phil Jagielka.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov did well to release Leon Osman for the opening goal on 38 minutes, although Brad Friedel could perhaps have got a firmer hand on the midfielder's shot.

Stewart Downing and Bent, two of the players to impress for England last week, combined for Villa's leveller at the start of the second period as the former Sunderland striker converted stylishly from the winger's cross.

But the real turning point came in the 68th minute when the referee waved play on after a Jermaine Beckford strike crashed down off the underside of the crossbar, with replays suggesting it may have just crossed the line, and Bent scored at the other end moments later with another composed finish.

Baines' late equaliser eased some of Everton's pain, but Villa may also feel hard done by as they remain precariously placed just above the drop zone.

Tottenham could only warm up for Tuesday's trip to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League with a goalless stalemate against bottom club Wigan.

Having also been held to a 0-0 draw by London rivals West Ham before the international break, Spurs were again missing a creative spark as their top-four chances suffered a setback.

The Latics, meanwhile, inch a step closer to survival but remain at the foot of the table, with Wolves and West Ham also in the bottom three.

source

Read more...

League to curb player behaviour

Premier League to act on player behaviour

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has announced a crackdown on the "unacceptable" behaviour by players and managers towards referees.

"The clubs unanimously backed the idea that at the start of next season we want to raise the bar," said Scudamore.

The new campaign will target abuse of match officials as well as surrounding them and unacceptable criticism and trying to get opponents sanctioned.

The Football Association plus referees and players' groups will be consulted.

The 20 top-flight club chairmen have acted after a number of high-profile incidents this season, most recently when Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson received a five-match touchline ban for his television outburst at referee Martin Atkinson after his side's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on 1 March.

Scudamore added: "I think we do need to concentrate on the player and manager relationship with the referee this time, as every one of us knows that there have been elements of unacceptable behaviour.

"As to what we think is unacceptable; it's vitriolic abuse towards match officials and that has on occasions gone unpunished; the surrounding of referees is unacceptable; the goading of referees into trying to get opponents sanctioned we think is unacceptable; and also the undue criticism, where it spills over into questioning the referee's integrity or his honesty is also unacceptable."

Scudamore said the League Managers' Association has already signalled its support for the campaign.

"We are at a point in the game where we do have to rein back from some of this undue criticism of match officials," he continued.

"The debate will come and we will have it in consultation with managers, and remember the managers are also employed by the clubs so the unanimous support of the clubs today is important."

And Scudamore went on to discuss the responsibilities that top players have as role models.

"Footballers enjoy a privileged life," he stated.

"The contrast between what is happening in their world and what is happening in the rest of Britain, and indeed most of the world, is getting starker.

"Whether it is realistic or not they can't entirely be perfect role models, they are young males and boys can behave badly from time to time.

"But there is a point where extra responsibility comes with the territory. There are so many good things about what footballers do, so this is not us demonising them. But the mood is that things could improve."

The Premier League will also consult with the Football Association, the Professional Footballers' Association, and then the PGMO body that represents match officials.

source

Read more...

Premier League stronger, not weaker - Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected claims that the Premier League has seen a decline in quality and, though he acknowledges how difficult it would be, remains cautiously optimistic about Manchester United's chances to repeat the Treble won by the club in 1999.

Just ten points separate 7th and 20th in the Premier League and, speaking exclusively to ESPN at the announcement of United's five-game summer tour of the United States, Ferguson pointed to the form of his club as an indicator of the division's merits this season.

"Away from home we have been disappointing but then you have to say that, maybe, this league is getting tougher than we think and the top teams are not getting it as easy as they did in the past. I think it emphasises the strength of the league rather than the weakness of it."

With eight games to go, United enjoy a five-point lead at the top of the table and although Arsenal have a game in hand, Ferguson's men are favourites to claim their fourth title in five years. Ferguson realises that there will be tests ahead but has backed his players to succeed in the best traditions of the club.

"The run-in is always going to be difficult. It doesn't matter where we play, whether it is away from home or at home. You saw it last game against Bolton, we didn't score until the last kick of the ball but that's typical of Manchester United. They have got that in their history, they're a team that never gives in."

United remain in contention for three trophies, despite the problems they have encountered this season. Indeed, Ferguson suggested had it not been for the injuries that have affected his squad throughout the campaign, their position could be even stronger.

"We're in everything. We're in the semi-final of the FA Cup, we're in the quarter-finals of the Champions league and we're top of the league so, statistically, we're doing great. I would analyse it this way: I think we've done exceptionally well considering the injuries we have carried. We have had players out for long periods."

While many have complained about the scheduling of internationals at this stage of the season, Ferguson admitted recently that the break was welcome for his injury-hit squad. Nemanja Vidic returned to action for Serbia on Tuesday, a timely boost for the United boss, who bemoaned the lack of resources available to him at the back.

"We've had long-term injuries to Rio Ferdinand, young Rafael has had injuries, Wes Brown, all the defenders have carried injuries right through the season and the only one who has actually kept fit has been Chris Smalling, who has been available for every game and he has been absolutely outstanding, he's been absolutely brilliant."

United return to action on Saturday at West Ham in the first of seven games the club will play in April and Ferguson knows the challenge his side will face at Upton Park.

"We expect a tough game at West Ham. Any team down the bottom doesn't want to go down because the only place you make money is in the Premier League. They have improved their form a little bit recently and, hopefully, we get the result we want."

Four days later, United will be back in London to face Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions league quarter-finals. Ferguson's men have not won at Stamford Bridge since April 2002 and enter the game having lost three in a row to the current Premier League champions.

Each defeat featured controversial refereeing decisions with disputed goals by John Terry and Didier Drogba settling league fixtures last season and, earlier this month, a hotly-contested penalty earning Chelsea three points after David Luiz was fortunate to escape a second yellow card. Ferguson is hoping for a change of fortune.

"In the last few games, we have had terrible decisions against us. You've just got to be careful that you don't have paranoia about it. Ability-wise, we're a good team. We played exceptionally well at Chelsea the last game, we were very, very unlucky. We didn't deserve to lose."

Ferguson's comments about Martin Atkinson following the latest Stamford Bridge encounter led to The FA suspending him from the touchline for five games and he feels that he has been disciplined simply for saying what he is thinking.

"If you speak your mind, it's a problem in the game. (The FA) is very strong in supporting the referees. In a way, I totally agree with that but there has to be fair comment also. I think I try to do that."

Ferguson's punishment came days after Wayne Rooney had escaped censure for an off-the-ball incident with Wigan's James McCarthy. It was the latest chapter of an up-and-down season for the England striker but his manager believes that he is coming into form at just the right time.

"He's doing great," Ferguson said of Rooney. "He has that great desire and determination to do well. He has the energy to play at the very highest level, he has world-class moments and you see the maturity coming along. Normally this is our time in March and April and Wayne has shown that at the moment."

A sign of United's strength in depth in the striker position has been the recent demotion of Dimitar Berbatov, the Premier League's leading scorer, to the bench. The Bulgarian's late winner against Bolton on March 19 was his 20th league goal of the season but Berbatov has only started one of the last six games.

"When you see the potential of what we have then it's difficult to leave players out," Ferguson said. "It's not difficult to pick two players, that's easy. The difficulty is leaving one out and, in the case of Berbatov, he's been left out recently. We've had to leave Chicharito out of some games, we've had to leave Rooney out of some games and that's not easy."

His focus may be on the remaining two months of the current season but Ferguson is also preparing for the new campaign. With the pre-season tour confirmed - United will play MLS sides from New England, Seattle and Chicago, as well as the league's all-stars and Spanish champions Barcelona - he has allowed his attention to turn to the make-up of his squad for 2011-12.

Regarding players he has targeted, Ferguson revealed to a press conference at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey that "two or three will be fulfilled". However, as he told ESPN earlier in the day, such is the current state of the transfer market, that potential and promise will remain at the top of his list of priorities.

"I think it is difficult to see the value anywhere now because of the sudden thrust of demand for the best players and the revenue created by the Premier League means that there are always going to be big transfers now. There are very, very few small ones. I think I probably got the last good business in (Javier Hernandez).

"We do well at identifying young players and giving them an opportunity. If you look at the three signature signings of young players we have made in the last few years - Rooney, Ronaldo and Chicharito - it portrays that, exactly how we feel about young people and young players and going for potential. And yes, of course, we need some experienced players at some times but we're good at getting young players into our club."

For now, though, in addition to their cup campaigns, United are focused on edging closer to a 19th league title, which would see them usurp Liverpool as the most successful club in English top-flight history.

Some have speculated that such an accomplishment would be seen a suitable moment to retire by Ferguson, who will celebrate his 70th birthday on 31 December. The man himself, however, has other ideas and insists he will be around for a while yet.

"No, no, I'm fit. I think that retirement is for young people. They can do something. If you've got your fitness, you've not a problem. If you have got your health, you don't have a problem. The thing that would decide it for me is if those things deteriorated."

Andrew Hush is an associate producer on ESPNSoccernet Press Pass, full episodes of which can be seen here. Follow the show at www.twitter.com/ESPNPressPass

source

Read more...

Liverpool Lead Chelsea In Chase for £7m Rated Premier League Starlet

Anfield the likely destination over Stamford Bridge for Wigan youngster.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish wants to beat Chelsea to the signing of Wigan star James McCarthy – the one who got away from Anfield. Dalglish is determined to land Glasgow-born Ireland starlet McCarthy as part of a major summer overhaul.

And the legendary manager thinks that he can persuade McCarthy to pick Merseyside ahead of London for his next move, which looks increasingly likecoming at the end of the season. Chelsea wanted to land McCarthy in January and are still in the chase for him – although the exit of director of football Frank Arnesen leaves a ­question mark over their desperation for him.

Now Dalglish, poised to get theLiverpool job full-time, has decided to home in on McCarthy who was set to sign for former boss Rafa Benitez as a kid but opted to stay with Hamilton Accies. McCarthy has already been to Liverpool’s HQ and played in a training game – when he was just 16 – and Benitez was keen to take him only for the top prospect to decide that first-team football with Hamilton was better.

Dalglish does not want to miss out on McCarthy again and thinks he would be ideal for a new-look squad that would also include fellow Scot Charlie Adam from Blackpool. McCarthy signed for Wigan and has proved himself to be one of the best young all-round midfielders in the top flight. Chelsea are willing to pay up to £7million for him.

Liverpool will match and ­possibly better that if Dalglish gets the money to invest. And he hopes the quiet lad will prefer to stay in the area rather than be drawn to the capital.

SOURCE: Express

James McCarthy first found himself on the football map when he broke on to the scene at Hamilton aged just 15 and indeed when he made his move to the Premier League in 2009 many had expected the Irish international midfielder to join one of the bigger clubs in the top tier but perhaps wisely the Glasgow born youngster opted for a move to the DW Stadium where he could get a fair bit of first team action but now it appears that a move may be on the cards.

Roberto Martinez faces a fight to keep the 20 year old, a fight that will become even more difficult if the Latics do not beat the drop and this source believes the fairly short move from Wigan to Merseyside may be the most likely one for the talented youngster.

Although McCarthy won’t turn 21 until November he already has over 150 appearances to his name and Kenny Dalglish in very much interested in signing the Wigan man as he looks to bring in top quality youthful options to complement the more experienced side of his squad.

Given the good form shown by the likes of Lucas and Raul Meireles as well as the mercurial skipper Steven Gerrard, it may prove problematic for McCarthy to earn himself a starting spot at Anfield but such is the upward trajectory of his career that he may well now feel he is able to take on all comers.

Chelsea’s interest will also be hard to ignore and Carlo Ancelotti is keen to bring in some younger players with a number of his Stamford Bridge squad getting on a bit. There has been a lot of talk about the potential exit of the likes of Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and bit part players Paulo Ferreira and Jose Bosingwa and having already spent big on the likes of Fernando Torres and David Luiz there is clearly no qualms about meeting the £7m valuation.

source

Read more...

William Gallas Delays Signing New Tottenham Contract Until Champions League Future Is Sorted

White Hart Lane veteran is offered new deal but delays decision.

Tottenham Hotspur defender William Gallas will not sign a new contract at the club unless there is Champions League football on offer next season.

The 33-year-old signed a one-year deal last summer after joining on a free from fierce rivals Arsenal. The France international is a key player for manager Harry Redknapp and has helped the club into the Champions League quarter-finals in their debut appearance in the tournament.

Gallas has said he is open to signing another deal with Tottenham but wants to see if the club can retain their place among Europe’s elite.

Spurs currently lie fifth in the table, just outside the four qualification spots but if they win this year’s competition they will gain entry for next season.

Redknapp confirms negotiations have started with the veteran, who he regards as  ’one of the signings of the season’.

“The chairman’s doing a deal,” Redknapp told the Daily Telegraph

“William fully deserve it, he has been top class. He’s a nice man, a quiet man who just gets on with it.

“He could have gone abroad during the summer and made money, but the deal he did with us was an awful lot less than he was on at Arsenal.

“He has been one of the signings of the season. He has been magnificent for us and has played nearly all the games.”

source

Read more...

Arsene Wenger orders Premier League to consider simultaneous kick-offs

Arsene Wenger has called for the final three Barclays Premier League games of the season to be played simultaneously.  As it stands, only the final round of fixtures kick-off at the same time. But the Arsenal manager believes the current format should be altered as the race for the title reaches a dramatic climax.   Changing times: Wenger has called for the Premier League to consider altering their current format 'I think they should make each team's last three fixtures all kick off at the same time, not just the last one,' Wenger told the Official Arsenal Magazine. 'There are advantages and disadvantages to kicking off later than the other teams. If you kick off later than your rivals, and they have lost, then you are in a more comfortable situation. 'Psychologically it can give you a lift, and it's true that it can apply for us or Manchester United or Chelsea, but I think it would be better not to give any team this advantage. Grudge match: United will host Chelsea in the final month of the campaign 'Weekends where you win and your opponents lose become absolutely pivotal now.' Wenger also revealed that he doesn't keep track on a rival's score if they kick-off at the same time.  'No, I wait until afterwards,' the Frenchman added. 'If they play before us, then I like to know the result, but if it's the same time, I don't mind not knowing until the end.   'I tell the players to forget about the other matches as far as possible, and just focus on how they want to play.'  Arsenal rocked by fresh takeover fears at Usmanov increases stake in clubVan Persie: Title in Arsenal's hands... and we won't drop it!Nasri urges under-achieving Arsenal to sign Udinese defender BenatiaArsenal FC news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Arsene Wenger

View the original article here

Read more...

Premier League to oppose standing

Standing-only areas were removed on the recommendation of the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, but the FSF are calling for the return of terraces in the top two divisions for English football.

However, Premier League chief spokesman Dan Johnson said that the organisation will not be backing to the proposals.

"Our view is that the benefits of all-seater stadia far outweigh the return of standing areas," Johnson said. "They have led to more women and more children attending the games and no matter how safe standing can be made, seating is always safer. We will not be encouraging the Government to change the law."

The FA echoed the Premier League's, with a spokesman telling ESPNsoccernet: "The FA does not support the introduction of safe-standing at football grounds in the top two divisions.

"Since the Taylor Report and the introduction of all-seater stadia crowd management and the supporter experience has improved significantly. In matters of safety and security we consider the advice of the police and the licensing authorities to be paramount and they remain clear on this issue."

Representatives from the police, government and football authorities met with the FSF on Monday in a bid to kick-start their campaign, with the organisation's chairman Malcolm Clarke claiming that many fans choose to stand despite having a seat.

"Fans do believe they have lost something in the move to all-seating," Clarke told The Guardian. "We will be doing further research to respond to the concerns of those who are not yet convinced."

The 'Safe Standing' camapign has been bubbling under the surface for some time, but the Premier League's planned opposition will come as a blow, just as the FSF was planning to step up its lobbying of the Government for a change in the law.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson admitted the law was unlikely to change because the risk of a major incident would be too high, saying: "The minister's head would be on a spike on Tower Bridge before he could draft a resignation letter."

Liverpool's involvement in the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies would appear to make them likely opponents of the reintroduction of standing areas, but former Reds striker David Fairclough feels that as long as the safety of fans is guranteed, the FSF's proposals could be implemented.

"In a controlled environment, plenty of countries around Europe have shown it can work," Fairclough told ESPNsoccernet. "Even in the Premier League, you find that fans who buy tickets for sit-down areas will still stand for the whole of the game.

"I went to West Ham away recently with Liverpool and everyone was standing up; as long as the barriers are secure I think there is scope to reintroduce some standing areas, though it couldn't work like the Kop used to be, with seas of open terraces.

"More standing room should also see a reduction in ticket prices, which can only be a good thing for the fans." 

View the original article here

Read more...

Champions League legend Clarence Seedorf tells Europe's top clubs to form breakaway division

22 Mar 2011 - 01:01:22

Champions League legend Clarence Seedorf has called for the creation of season-long European league, claiming the exclusive tournament is an inevitability. The AC Milan midfielder, who has been champion of Europe with three different clubs, argues that a so-called 'super league' would benefit football across the board, including fans and the smaller teams that would not take part. Seedorf's current side crashed out of Europe last week, failing to score against competition debutants Tottenham across two legs. They followed Roma, Napoli and Juventus who all fell short of expectations. In fact only Inter are left to fly the flag for Serie A. One of the best: Clarence Seedorf has won the Champions League with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan Whether the diminishing quality of the division in which he plays has had an affect on the Dutch international is unclear. Yet this is a man who has his own big plans for football when he eventually hangs up his boots. Speaking exclusively to The Green Soccer Journal, a brand new magazine, Dutch international Seedorf said: 'They need to create a European league. That's my opinion. More quality, less games. I think everybody will benefit in the end from that. International pedigree: The Dutchman has represented his country almost 100 times 'When you make changes there is always something you have to sacrifice. And also for the smaller teams it can be good - it will bring back a little bit more balance. It's going to be a revolutionary thing but actually I don't see how it cannot happen in the future. 'Because of money but also because of the quality of games. Why is the Champions League so successful? That is the concept.' The root of Seedorf's idea is based in the fact that he believes footballers play too many games, a huge shift in attitude from the early days of his career, of which he speaks glowing about playing twice a week for the Ajax Academy sides. Fulham last year played almost 60 competitive matches spanning four competitions, and it seemed somehow inevitable it would be in extra time of their final fling - the Europa League final - that they would eventually be out done. Seedorf expects a decrease in fixtures would ultimately lead to an increase in quality when teams did take to the field. Injuries, too, he says would be cut. 'Too many games,' the 34-year-old says as he reflects on the rising number of serious injuries at the top level of the sport. 'That's one of the negative aspects in my opinion that has been growing over the last 20 years. Playing always more and more and more games. Changing of the guard: Milan's recent poor showing in the Champions League was echoed by many of Serie A other clubs 'The quality doesn't get better. Instead people get annoyed - every day there's a game. And I think that the performance and entertainment of the game is getting less for the among of matches that we see. That has to be the case because you cannot perform every three days the whole year. It's not possible. 'And it's just more matches, international matches, club matches... and that's fine, but we can see that in the cold of January and February there are always a lot of injuries. 'There has been a request in England to have a winter break. In Germany they have extended the winter break. In Italy they have asked for a longer winter break. 'And I think it's ridiculous that you're still in preparation in August for friendly matches for international teams. People are just getting back from the World Cup and they're still in preparation.' Clarence Seedorf was speaking exclusively to The Green Soccer Journal a new quarterly magazine which attempts to distort the lines between lifestyle and football, and create a publication that displays the game in a sophisticated and visually stimulating fashion.

View the original article here

Read more...