Friday, 7 February 2014

Vidic confirms United exit

Vidic confirms United exit

Vidic confirms United exit

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:26 PM PST

The 32-year-old centre-back was reportedly angered by the clubs refusal to offer him a contract renewal, and just days after the transfer window shut, the Serbian has shown his hand, declaring that the current Premier League season will be his last at Old Trafford. The towering, injury-prone defender is rumoured to be headed to Italy, with Juventus, Inter Milan and Fiorentina all reportedly interested, and Vidic confirmed he will not play for another English club. Its the last year of my contract and I have had eight wonderful years here. My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career, Vidic told Uniteds website. I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow (when United won the UEFA Champions League), memories that will live with me and the fans forever. However, I have decided that I will move on at the end of this season. I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years. Im not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United and I was lucky enough to be part of this club for so many years. Ive got a few options to move on and I will choose the right one for me and for my family. I am now going to focus all my efforts on playing for Manchester United and do the best I can for the team until the end of the season. I hope this stops any further speculation about my future. Vidics eight years United has been littered with trophies, notably five Premier League titles, three League Cups and the Champions League crown in 2007-08.

Beckham faces huge task winning over Miami - but hes making a good start

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 07:30 AM PST

During his first scouting mission last May, David Beckham sat courtside for the Miami Heat's crucial Game 7 NBA play-off battle with the Indiana Pacers. You'll often see celebrities adorning those privileged seats, but this was different. Whenever his handsome mug appeared on the big screen, the crowd erupted. He responded politely with a wave, before flashing his trademark blush and 'aw shucks' grin. Then came the moment. With victory in the bag, Miami withdrew the world's best player, LeBron James, from the action. 'King James', a giant of world sport, stopped to embrace the Englishman on his way to the bench. The ovation almost took the roof off a packed American Airlines Arena. In Miami, if you're good with LeBron, you're good period. In the coming years, Beckham aims to be the architect of such rapid sporting adulation here in the Sunshine State. On Wednesday he announced bold plans (albeit somewhat less advanced than many had expected) to bring his own world-class Major League Soccer team to Miami, and build the city a brand new stadium by 2017. Ask anyone on the streets of Miami if they know who David Beckham is and they'll smile and say "of course!" However, on Wednesday the widest smiles belonged to the supporters who've campaigned for the return of professional football to Miami since former MLS side the 'Fusion' folded in 2001. Every kind of happy "I'm every kind of happy you can imagine," says Max Ramos-Paez, of a local supporters group dubbed the Southern Legion. "Here is a guy who has the money, has the passion, who wants to bring world-class players here and who doesn't know how to lose. With a brand new stadium in downtown Miami, there's no limit to how far this thing can go. With Beckham on board it could be huge." "Soccer is ingrained in the community," he continues, before a big celebration at an Irish pub where the group gathers to watch live games. "Drive around the city neighbourhoods and all you'll see is people playing soccer. Those people are all are going to want to be part of this." Part of the big Miami MLS sell is the presence of a large football-obsessed European and Latin population. In a city where English is practically a second language, football gets a much higher billing. A pre-season Chelsea vs Real Madrid game at the Miami Dolphins' Sun Life Stadium drew 67,000, while more recently, Brazil vs Honduras had a bumper crowd of 71,000. England play two warm-up games there before the World Cup. So the stage has been set for big-time football - but is MLS really big-time enough? "They say the Latinos and Europeans here love soccer. They do, but they don't love MLS. It's still a big step below the top leagues," says Gabriel Aquirre, a Miami office worker. "I don't watch the MLS, man," confesses William Condesso, a café owner in neighbouring Fort Lauderdale. "I like the Premier League and La Liga so haven't paid much attention to the Beckham thing. Perhaps if he gets Ronaldo to play for Miami, then I'll watch..." The city of Miami is different to most in the United States. A high percentage of people born in the area are first generation native Floridians, meaning traditional handed-down sporting loyalties aren't as common. To succeed, Beckham's must make this Miami's team, not just a team in Miami. "It's different down here. If you're a Pittsburgh [Steelers, NFL] fan, it's in here," declares 22-year-old Alvaro Nunez, tapping his chest. "I'm Uruguayan, I live in Miami, but my heart is with my team at home." Miami: Mad About Soccer? Nunez works in the Mad About Soccer store on Miami's picturesque waterfront. Walking into the store, shoppers are blinded by a kaleidoscope of colourful Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Chelsea shirts. The MLS kits are tucked away at the back. "Occasionally we'll get a tourist come in and ask for an LA Galaxy shirt," he adds. Interestingly, few had visited the store in the excitement of Beckham's announcement on Wednesday, although that may be down to the announcement being widely pre-empted. However, as a result of the ephemeral nature of its population, Miami teams have a reputation nationwide for having 'fair-weather fans'. If the product isn't good, the backsides disappear from seats. That's something Beckham will doubtless encounter with his as-yet nameless and stadium-less franchise. "Miami is a big event city," says David Hyde,a respected veteran sports reporter at the Sun-Sentinel newspaper. "If David Beckham can make it an event, that goes a long way to making something a success here. "One of the great mysteries of Miami is working out who shows up to what. The Dolphins are having trouble drawing fans, the Marlins [baseball team] are drawing nobody. Before they got LeBron, Heat attendances were up and down too. People care about Beckham enough to give it their attention, but he'll need a good team because no one's coming just to see him more than once." "We'll bring great players" Beckham himself reckons he has the answer, claiming "great players" have already been on the phone asking when they can sign up. "We'll bring great players who want to live and play in Miami. Who wouldn't?" he remarked. Some might say those not wishing to play in a less competitive league. As a player, the midfielder's move to LA Galaxy, when he still had plenty of miles on the clock, changed the game in this country. As an owner in Miami he'll need to convince more real stars to follow suit. "I heard he wants to sign Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] for 2017," says Alvaro Nunez. "That'd be interesting. People will come to see great players. If my knees were better I could make the team too!" It isn't just those expensive household names on Beckham's radar; he also vows to create a world-class academy to nurture local talent. In this regard he's farming on perhaps the most fertile ground in the US. Miami, with its year-round good weather, is notorious for producing professional athletes. Currently 43 NFL players are University of Miami alumni, according to ESPN. "We want local talent, children who believe they can reach the top to play in MLS for the US team, the Mexican team or whichever country they're from," Beckham said. While the gamble on South Florida is a risk for Beckham and his investors, the city's local government is in a relaxed mood as the former England midfielder has pledged to privately fund the new stadium in gorgeous downtown Miami. "I really think Miami has absolutely nothing to lose in this equation," declares County Commissioner Lynda Bell, who chairs the county's sports commission. "We have a global star and a group who are willing to build their own stadium and franchise with their own money. We have a 'wait and see' attitude but we're very, very excited." 'Own' money is key. The public remain wounded by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria's vow to build a competing team were he afforded $490m to build a new stadium. Half a season later, he traded away the team's biggest stars. Fans felt hoodwinked and, as a direct consequence, the Miami Dolphins were refused funding to revamp Sun Life Stadium, meaning no more lucrative Super Bowls in South Florida. Team Beckham's desire to foot the bill (although we still don't know where he's at with investors) could go a long way to rallying the community. "This instantly makes his team more popular than the Marlins, who used to mean something before what Loria did," says Southern LegionerRamos-Paez. He and other fans remaining from the doomed Fusion era affirm it was bad ownership and a stadium outside Miami that was the problem, rather than supporter apathy. This time, they say, it'll be different. "People talk about bandwagon Miami fans, but we didn't have a real chance before," he says."This will be our team. People will want to be part of it." Beckham also believes in Miami, but does enough of Miami believe in him for this to truly work? If history is anything to go by he'll be given the chance to prove it, but if Becks doesn't produce a winner quickly, the city will quickly go looking for the next big thing.

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Meet the man who can save Fulhams miserable season

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 05:54 AM PST

Fulham's pursuit of Kostas Mitroglou ended with a deadline-day deal which saw the London side get their man for a club record £12.4 million. The 25-year-old comes to England with strong pedigree in Greek football, but questions about his suitability for a Premier League relegation scrap are already in the air. Fulham are struggling at the bottom of the league, after all, and will need goals from their new man immediately to stand a chance of avoiding the drop. Mitroglou's switch to Craven Cottage was a surprise. Many top level clubs on the continent had shown an interest in snapping up the Greece man, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund, but it seems Mitroglou's move to west London was driven by one thing above all else: playing at the top level. Those close to the striker insist it's the player's greatest motivation, and at Fulham he is guaranteed the chance to prove himself. A brief glance at his past proves the importance of first-team football to him. This won't be Mitroglou's first time playing away from his homeland. The player known as 'The Pistolero' for his gun-toting celebrations, was born in Greece but began his playing career in Germany after his family emigrated there when he was two years old. The striker made inroads as a youngster at MSV Duisburg, before moving on to Borussia Mönchengladbach four years later, where he impressed indie Fohlen's second string. Although eligible to play for Germany, Mitroglou quickly pledged allegiance to his birth country. A superb showing for Greece at the 2007 U19 European Championship saw him net three goals and lead his country to the final, where they lost to Spain. On the way, Mitroglou led Greece past the semi-finals against a Germany side which included the likes of Mesut Özil, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Höwedes and Sidney Sam. Having lit up the U19 Bundesliga with Gladbach, his progress was monitored by several Greeks clubs, and Olympiakos signed him in 2007. The talented youngster was tipped for big things with the Greek giants, but things didn't quite work out as planned. Initially he enjoyed a solid first season for the Piraeus club, and played his part in their title-winning campaign of 2007/08 with seven goals. Then, [current Athletic Club boss] Ernesto Valverde took the reins in 2008- and the Spaniard's first impression of the player was not a good one. Mitroglou missed a penalty in a Champions' League qualifier away to Anorthosis, having defied the coach's orders for a different player take the spot-kick. It proved the start of the pair's uneasy relationship. Valverde enjoyed success with the club over two spells (2008-09 and 2010-12), but Mitroglou played only sporadically. Suddenly there were questions about the player's character and his commitment to training. Mitroglou's time at Olympiakos looked to be running out. Two loan spells in consecutive seasons revitalised the striker's career. When Mitroglou joined Panionios in January 2011, the Athens-based side were rooted to the bottom of the table. Four months later they finished a respectable 10th in the league, 10 points clear of the drop. Fulham supporters will be glad to know that the catalyst for that remarkable turnaround was their new man, eight goals in 11 matches for 'Mitrogoal' saving the club from near-certain relegation. Still, though, the Greek's goalscoring exploits weren't enough to convince Valverde. A season-long loan to Atromitos followed, and Mitroglou continued his fine form by leading his new side to third with 16 league goals, second only to current Everton forward [and then-Olympiakos man] Kevin Mirallas. The two loan stints showcased Mitroglou's greatest strengths. First was his finishing - the calmness with which he could find the net from any position - and, just as important, his ability to create chances for himself. Mitroglou's creativity and one-on-one moves in the box were responsible for many unassisted goals. Upon his return, with Valverde gone at the 2011/12 season's end, Mitroglou finally got his real chance with Olympiakos. The goal-getting hitman snatched the opportunity too, finishing the season with 20 goals from just over 40 matches. It was the precursor to this season, and his true breakthrough year. The statistics speak for themselves: 23 goals in 25 matches, top scorer in the Greek Super League, a hat-trick against Anderlecht in the Champions League (the first Greek player to do so), and six goals for Greece, including three crucial strikes in the two-legged World Cup qualification play-off against Romania that put his nation in the pot for Brazil. Greece boss Fernando Santos probably encapsulated Mitroglou's rise to prominence best when he said: "The Mitroglou I see now is much different than the one I first saw with the national team. He has changed as a player, but also as a character. He is much more calm and it shows with his play on the pitch." What you see is not exactly what you get with Mitroglou. While his numerous tattoos and facial hair point to an extrovert, the truth is that Mitroglou is a humble star ill at ease in front of cameras and during interviews. In Greece he was sometimes criticised for not being completely fluent, but this is a player who prefers to do his talking on the pitch. Coming from a league of a lower standard, it's only natural that some are yet to be convinced that he can do the business in England. But Mitroglou's improvement over the last three years has been down to his insatiable hunger to become a top player in Europe. The Premier League could be the perfect place to show off his skills. Mitroglou's size, strength and combination play make him an ideal target man, but he is more than just a good hold-up player. He should endear himself to Fulham supporters with his creativity in attack and impressive range of his goals, as a player equally at home in the penalty box as he is operating outside the area. He does not yet have the Premier League pedigree of the recently departed Dimitar Berbatov, but his deft touches and inventiveness in the penalty box will remind some of the Bulgarian. Surely, the Greek's work-rate will succeed that of his predecessor, and those taking in matches at Craven Cottage will see no shortage of effort from a true two-footed finisher who is also strong in the air. Keeping up with the speed of the English game is something the striker will have to prove, but first get used to. Though not exactly slow, a lack of obvious pace may be an issue. There will also be questions of his stamina over 90 minutes in the cut and thrust of English football. Still, the positives seem to outweigh the negatives and Fulham obviously trust the player's abilities. It is worth remembering that Mitroglou's admirers over the last six months have included the likes of Arsene Wenger, who labelled him "a true finisher who can't be ignored", and Jürgen Klopp, who travelled to Romania for the second leg of that World Cup play-off and reportedly liked what he saw. Mitroglou's former Olympiakos team-mate Roy Carroll believes Fulham are onto something special with their Greece international. The former Manchester United goalkeeper likened the striker to a player who left an indelible mark on the English game: "He is 25 and is hungry and passionate for football. Eric Cantona was a superb player, one of the best. I used to watch Cantona hold the ball up high. Mitroglou is that type of player. He is very strong too." Only time will tell if Carroll's comparisons are wide of the mark, or whether they possess some degree of truth. But knowing Mitroglou's journey from unappreciated loane to established star, Fulham fans can expect full commitment from their new man in troubled times.

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