Winger Chris Brunt has signed a new three-year contract with West Bromwich Albion.
The 25-year-old Northern Ireland international is the latest player to pledge his future to the Baggies ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Team-mates Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu have recently penned new deals at The Hawthorns and Brunt is delighted to have followed suit.
"I'm delighted to sign this new deal because I feel really settled at the club, just like my family does in the area," he told the club's official website.
"The club is heading in the right direction and this is a nice bonus ahead of what I hope will be a big season both for the team and on a personal level.
"I've won promotion with the club twice now and I want to top that by helping to establish Albion in the Premier League.
"That's the challenge facing the coaching staff and players and if we all pull together I believe we can have a successful season.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"The fans have been great to me during the past three years and I'm sure they'll get right behind us next season when we will need them more than ever."
Brunt joined the Baggies in a £3million deal from Sheffield Wednesday in August 2007.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
If Nicolas Anelka’s international career wasn’t over with the 18-game ban he has been issued with by the French Football Federation (FFF), then his comments in reaction to them certainly sealed the deal. Anelka said today:
“For me, this whole commission thing is a nonsense, a charade not to lose face. The so-called punishment has no relevance whatsoever because, for me, the French national team was an issue which ended on the 19 July when I was kicked out of the training centre at Knysna. This is just to entertain the public, to turn the page because Laurent Blanc needs to be able to work in peace. These people are clowns, I am dying with laughter.”
Only the people involved during France’s camp in South Africa will really know what happened, but what we know is what the rest of the world saw: an embarrassment of the greatest proportions. What started as a fall-out between a player and his coach – Anelka had told Raymond Domenech to ‘Go f**k yourself, you son of a whore’ – during half-time in France’s game with Mexico, turned into a state of affairs where Anelka was sent home, the players went on strike, the head of the FFF resigned and eventually the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, stepped in to enquire as to what on earth was going on.
Whether Nicolas Anelka was willing to play for France after the incident is ambiguous, the issue seems to have been with Domenech, and as he no longer resides as the French coach, Anelka may have been happy to play under Blanc. However, the cold truth, regardless of Anelka’s intentions, is that the FFF had to make an example of someone simply to save face. Raymond Domenech’s reputation is in tatters (although it was pretty ropey to begin with) and so simply laying the blame on him would not have washed. If the players involved had got off scot-free what sort of example would that set in terms of dealing with in-house arguments? Anelka was the original offender and so suffered the brunt of the punishment, Evra got his ban (5 games) for his role as captain, Jeremy Toulalan (one) for writing the statement and Ribery (three) for I’m not quite sure why – maybe because he was vice-captain, maybe for allegations of underage prostitutes, or maybe because even amongst that squad, he stood out as particularly terrible at the tournament .
Laurent Blanc needed a clean slate, and after dropping every player for his first game in charge, he needs a sense of authority that exudes over his players i.e. that sort of behaviour will not wash regardless of whether you agree or not. By the same token, the FFF needed to get a grip on matters after they spilt out so disastrously in South Africa. Anelka is a good player, but at 31, he is expendable in the eyes of the FFF for their next qualifying campaign. Had it been England and Wayne Rooney, or a player of that importance to the French side, there is no way that player would have received that punishment.
Overall, the FFF had no choice but to make a big, public show of the punishment that they dished out. I will be very surprised if any French players do something similar again in the near future, although stranger things have happened in football, and the team now has an opportunity to leave this incident behind. Maybe this will be a stark reminder to players of what a privilege it is to be asked to play football for your country. Anelka has to accept that he is, rightly or wrongly, the fall guy. If his country is to get back on track, then they must now try to rediscover the success that they had at the turn of the century. This is the right step forward and Anelka is a sacrifice for the greater good.
Get updates on my articles by following me on twitter.
Click on image below to see the gallery of Mario Balotelli’s stunning girlfriend
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Chelsea come into the season looking to continue their impressive form which saw them wrap up a domestic double for the first time in club history. This off-season has seen much change at Stamford Bridge with notable players such as Michael Ballack, Deco and Joe Cole leaving Chelsea and Ramires and Yossi Benayoun the only two players of note that Ancelotti has brought in.
With free-spending Manchester City assembling a star-studded squad along with usual suspects Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal sure to be in or around the top come May, this season is shaping up to be as exciting and as close as last season. Here are 5 things Ancelotti and Chelsea must do to ensure that success is maintained at the Bridge.
1. Stay injury-free
Injuries were the bane of Chelsea last season with several key players out for extended periods and this season the injury bug has struck again with Jose Bosingwa still absent following a long-term knee injury and Petr Cech and Alex rushing in a race against time to be fit for the season opener against West Brom. With all of the departures at Chelsea this season, it is essential that key players in the squad are kept injury free for Chelsea to be able to mount a successful defence of their Premier League title.
2. The supporters must get behind John Terry and Ashley Cole
I’m sure this won’t be a problem for Chelsea fans but we must get behind John Terry and Ashley Cole. Terry and Cole’s confidence must be at an all time low following England’s dismal performance in South Africa and the two have carried their World Cup hangover into Chelsea’s pre-season. The boo-boys have definitely been out in force for the duo and their performances against Manchester United will have given them much pleasure. We all know the quality that Cole and Terry possess and it is up to us fans to ensure that they have all of our support so that they can put in the quality performances that we know they can produce.
3. Give youth a chance
Much has been made about Chelsea’s ageing squad but there are some quality youngsters coming through the ranks at Stamford Bridge and Ancelotti would be wise to use the club’s quest for trophies on all fronts as a means of blooding some of his young charges. Gael Kakuta has been drawing rave reviews as a result of his Golden Ball winning performance at this summer’s European U-19 Championship and has shown the potential to be a future star for Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge played excellently for Chelsea on Sunday after coming on in the second half and looks to be a livewire of a player. Other players such as Jeffrey Bruma, Fabio Borini, Patrick van Aanholt and Josh McEachran are highly-prized at Stamford Bridge and some first team action, maybe in the Carling Cup would prove hugely beneficial to the development of these young players.
4. More from some of the squad players
With a number of experienced players leaving Chelsea this season, it is more important than ever that some of the squad players at Stamford Bridge look to raise their game. Salomon Kalou has managed to frustrate and delight in equal measures in his time at Stamford Bridge and this season, Ancelotti must look to get more of the latter out of the enigmatic Ivorian. Kalou has shown flashes of brilliance during his four seasons in West London, most notably during the tail-end of last season where Kalou scored a hat-trick in Chelsea’s rout of Stoke City. Kalou has attempted to carry over this good form into this season and impressed during Chelsea’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. Hopefully, he can maintain this form and be a weapon for Ancelotti in the upcoming season.
Ancelotti will also be looking at Yuri Zhirkov to show more for Chelsea after failing to impress in pre-season with the Russian culpable for a suicidal back pass which led to Chelsea’s eventual defeat to Hamburg.
5. Draw on the experience in the squad
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Chelsea’s core squad has remained together and they have experience of winning trophies that cannot be underestimated. Chelsea have bred a habit of winning and many of the players have won multiple honours while at the club. This has fostered a strong team unity that has shown through the team’s ability to bounce back after defeat to Inter last season threatened to derail our title push. Only Manchester United can draw on the experience of that kind of success that is present in the Chelsea squad.
Like my article? Follow me on Twitter or subscribe 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
Brazil striker Luis Fabiano has put an end to speculation about his future by signing a new two-year contract extension with Sevilla.
The 29-year-old, who had been of interest to both Tottenham Hotspur and Marseille, is now tied to the Rojiblancos until the summer of 2013, with his previous deal having been set to run out at the end of the season.
The South American told his club's official website:"Much has been spoken about my future and in the end I am content to renew with Sevilla.
"This club is my home, already I have been here six years and I will try to continue scoring goals, to continue making history for Sevilla. It is a very special day for me.
"My first option was to renew with Sevilla. I rejected many offers and many interested clubs.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"My will was always to stay put and the certain thing is that Sevilla and I delivered a great plan for renewal. For that reason now the speculation stops."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Let’s be honest; if we didn’t know already, Tottenham have got away with blatant robbery in signing Rafael Van der Vaart for £8m. The Dutchman was excellent at Ajax and Hamburg, and restricted at Real Madrid. When he did play for Los Blancos he rarely let the side down, but was up against some of the stiffest competition when attempting to seal a place in the first team: anyone competing with Ronaldo, Kaka and Ozil was always going to have expect some time on the bench.
Simply because Real Madrid have quality players overflowing from their regal ranks, Van der Vaart’s price crashed, and at the bong of the transfer window gong, Daniel Levy was made aware of his new price. Levy subsequently asked Harry Redknapp’s opinion, and there was little hesitation in the response – ‘let’s have him’.
For the money that Spurs paid Real, they could have bought a homeless Portugese player no one had heard of, as well as a pretty plush house for him to live in, nearly all of Kenwyne Jones (perhaps minus the dreadlocks), or a third of James Milner (I know City’s prices are inflated, but let’s roll with it).
Instead of those options, Spurs have got their hands on a playmaker cut from the silkiest cloth. Still only 27, Van der Vaart boasts 85 caps to his name, and consistently chips in with a fair share of goals regardless of where he is played. He has operated on the left wing – although Spurs are pretty much sorted in that department – but is far more effective when given license to wander, playing just off a striker. That said, against FC Twente on Wednesday, Spurs had both Crouch and Pavlyuchenko on the pitch, as well as Modric, and Van der Vaart was still a bundle of activity. Redknapp should be credited for being brave and aggressive in his choice of formation and personnel, as it reaped the rewards, even with ten men.
In the same game, Van der Vaart’s sending off was slightly naïve. It was more born out of adrenalin, and an eagerness to prove his commitment to the cause. Whereas some playmakers can be somewhat lightweight, dare I say even lazy, often slouching around when not in possession and only coming alive when they are the focus of attention. Van der Vaart is not one of those players; hungry and industrious, there is grit to go with the guile.
In such a bloated transfer market, bargains are genuinely rare things. If they do come, they are usually from the lower leagues and take time to grow into their new status. Javier Hernandez looks like he has the potential to be a bargain at Old Trafford, City paid relatively little for Adam Johnson, and there others that can always be noted. But in Van der Vaart, Spurs have a readymade superstar. His nationality means that his English will be naturally perfect, he has big club experience, has international tournaments under his belt, seems devoid of any ego, and has plenty of years to give to Tottenham.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
£8m is very little when you think of the figures that are shelled out on players today. Chelsea parted with £17m for Ramires, United spent £10m on Chris Smalling, and Nicola Zigic cost Birmingham just over £6m. For my money, (well, Spurs’ money) it looks like the best bit of business this summer, and probably for a while before that.
Get updates on my articles by following me on twitter.
Tottenham Hotspur star Rafael van der Vaart has suggested he could have stayed at Real Madrid before departing for first-team football in London.
When Dutch compatriots Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder left for Bayern Munich and Internazionale respectively, Los Merengues offered him the option to stay, but he turned them down.
The 27-year-old also suggested he turned down Spurs a year ago so that wife Sylvie could continue her chemotherapy in Spain after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I would have moved to Bayern Munich, but they weren't interested," he told the News of the World.
"Arsenal? Yes of course, that would have been fantastic.
"When Madrid sold Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder they asked me whether I would like to stay – I would even get my No. 23 shirt back.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"What I went through is part of football – but it wasn't nice. Football is best when you're ten years old."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz has resigned himself to leaving Manchester City in January.
The 29-year-old former Bayern Munich and Blackburn Rovers striker has made only one appearance this season – in the Carling Cup defeat at West Brom.
Santa Cruz retired from international football after the World Cup finals in South Africa and was expected to leave Eastlands before the summer transfer window closed.
City manager Roberto Mancini admitted last month that the forward was unlikely to enjoy much first-team football this term, and Roque Santa Cruz has now admitted:"I can't see myself playing in the team and that's frustrating.
"When the boss does not believe in you then you can't push him to do so.
"It's frustrating for me because I'm healthy and I'll keep working hard on my fitness.
"But once the time comes, I'll have to look at my options of playing somewhere else. There is no alternative."
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The forward has been linked with a reunion with Mark Hughes at Fulham after scoring only four times in 23 appearances for City.
He previously found the net 29 times in 70 matches for Blackburn before joining City in the summer of 2009 for £17.5million.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
After lurching from one crisis to another over the last few months Liverpool appear to have returned to some semblance of normality this week with two important wins for both their domestic and European aspirations.
Wins against Bolton and Napoli would be the bare minimum in previous seasons, but after the desperate run of results that had left the Reds locked in the Premier League basement, Steven Gerrard’s late hat-trick against the Italians and Maxi Rodriguez’s last gasp winner in the league put a more positive spin on Roy Hodgson’s start at Anfield.
On the blog front much has been made of Liverpool’s behind the scenes management changes. Roy Hodgson may claim to be comfortable with the continental approach reflected by Damien Comolli’s appointment as Director of Football, but what will this mean for the Reds in the long term? There is also analysis of the fallout from the end of the Hicks and Gillett era and Roy Hodgson’s bizarre spat with former manager Rafa Benitez.
We also cover the best of the web’s articles on the Anfield club.
Featured articles of the week
*
The Premier League’s New Comic Strip #2
Spurs, Liverpool, United…whose need for Real Madrid swoop is greater?
Did Broughton miss a trick in safeguarding Liverpool’s future?
Should Liverpool fans look upon Comolli’s appointment with trepidation?
Controlled ruthlessness in football
An important FACT that is lost on most Premier League players
The FIVE ‘realistic’ transfer targets for Liverpool to ponder
Liverpool’s Stadium Dilemma
Will transfer deals meet expectations at Liverpool?
The ten most heated matches in England
Liverpool’s transfer policy could have a knock on effect
Ten things we have noticed from the Premier League this season
*
Click here to see the Best LIVERPOOL BLOGS around the Web this week
Best of the Web
*
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Damien Comolli: A view from a Spurs fan – Live4Liverpool
Nice move NESV, Bad move Roy – Kopblog
Soto Kyrgiakos: Liverpool’s Unlikely Hero – This is Anfield
Red hails Young Starlet’s “Unbelievable Skills.” – Live4Liverpool
Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez was full of praise for his side's discipline after a 1-0 home win over West Brom lifted the out of the relegation places.
A Victor Moses strike proved decisive at the DW Stadium, as Wigan won only their third league game of the campaign, with the victory enough to lift them above Birmingham City.
Martinez told the club's official website:"It was a very difficult game and it might not have been pretty, but it was three valuable points.
"I am so proud that the players were able to find the answers, because we didn't have the control or the dominance we have had in recent weeks.
"But we got the three points we feel we deserved and that is a massive step forward for us.
"I just felt that it was a performance where everyone had to be at 100 per cent and had to stay concentrated for the whole 90 minutes. In that respect, we were perfect.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"You have to find a way of creating chances without leaving yourself too exposed at the back.
"We managed to create three good chances, we took one of them and three very deserved points."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
When the Champions League draw was made, many Arsenal fans had a feeling they were going to draw Barcelona. Arsene Wenger’s side threw their group away, and this is the punishment Arsenal are going to face. Barcelona have been sensational for the past three years, and seem to be getting better. I wouldn’t give Arsenal too much of a chance against them – if they continue to play like they have over the past weeks. A defeat may actually help Arsenal’s long term Premier League aspirations.
Arsene Wenger must know that the Premier League is there for the taking this season. Although Arsenal have fallen behind Manchester United, they are still very much in it. Arsenal need to get their priorities right. Winning the Champions League would be a fantastic achievement but becoming Premier League champions has to be the priority. There are no certainties in football, however, Chelsea and Manchester United have been handed very favourable draws, and Tottenham stand a good chance of defeating Milan. A defeat against Barcelona would not be the end of the world in terms of the Premier League.
The longer Manchester United and Chelsea are in the competition, the better for Arsenal. Manchester United have a backlog of fixtures coming up, mix that with the FA Cup and they could struggle. Do Manchester United have the squad capable of challenging on three fronts in 2011? It would seem they do not, Arsenal could take advantage of this. Chelsea will also be competing on three fronts with a paper thin squad. Add to this, Chelsea’s obsession to win the Champions League and they may take their eye off the Premier League.
Again, nothing is certain in football. I am not saying for one moment that Arsenal will not beat Barcelona. However, going on last year and the way the two sides have played this season, the likelihood is that Barcelona will win the tie over the two legs. Arsenal have a better team this year, but so do Barcelona. They have added David Villa to their strike force, and his performance in the recent Catalan derby was majestic. If Barcelona go into the Arsenal game in this form, Arsenal will be put to the sword again. Arsene Wenger’s side have come a long way since being destroyed in the Nou Camp but again, so have Barcelona. There would be no disgrace in losing to Barcelona, it could help them.
If Arsenal lose to Barcelona but win the Premier League in May, it may be seen as a blessing in disguise. It is completely hypothetical but we have to accept that in all probability Chelsea and Manchester United will go further in the Champions League. If the Arsenal squad has their eye on the ball, fighting for one championship, Arsenal could very well become 2010-2011 Premier League champions.
Like what you read? Follow me on twitter
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.