With another year almost up, and a new one on the way, we can officially enter the ‘assessment’ period. Who has impressed this year? Who is likely to kick on in 2011 and grab some headlines? The Premier League is full of talented young players and the aim of this list is to determine the cream of the crop. All players included are 21 or under (with one exception) and have already managed to impress in some way this season. It’s heartening to see that this list is so populated by young British talent. Given the furore that currently accompanies the state of the England team, the amount of young English talent in the Premier League can only bode well for the future. But this isn’t a list of young British talent – this is a celebration of young talented players from every origin currently playing in the Premier League. Without further ado, I present you with the top ten young Premier League prospects for 2011.
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CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW TO VIEW THE TOP 10!
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Stoke have secured the services of Aston Villa striker John Carew on loan until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has fallen out of favour at Villa Park since the Midlands club appointed Gerard Houllier as manager, starting just six games this season.
Carew was outspoken of Houllier earlier in the campaign, and the arrival of Darren Bent from Sunderland on Tuesday paved the way for the Norwegian’s departure.
The former Valencia and Lyon marksman had a medical at Stoke on Thursday and is expected to be included in the squad for their trip to Fulham on Saturday.
“This is a fantastic signing,” Stoke manager Tony Pulis said. “John’s record speaks for itself because he has scored goals at the highest level throughout his career.”
“As well as all the experience he has gained at international level, he has top played for some top, top clubs across Europe and performed in the Champion League for many seasons, including an appearance in the final for Valencia.”
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“On top of that, he was Aston Villa’s leading scorer last season with 17 goals, so we have acquired a striker with outstanding pedigree.”
Emmanuel Adebayor hopes he can begin a new chapter of his career at Real Madrid after a torrid spell with Manchester City.
The Togolese striker fell out of favour at Eastlands under the reign of Roberto Mancini, after being signed from Arsenal in a 25-million-pound deal under Mark Hughes, and has now agreed to a six month loan deal by Jose Mourinho as the Real boss looks to bolster his attacking stocks.
Real also have the option to buy Adebayor outright come the end of the season.
Aside from his inability to win a spot in the City starting line up, Adebayor is lucky to be alive after being injured by a terrorist attack on his country’s team bus at the African Cup of Nations 12 months ago – prompting his retirement from international football.
The 26-year-old said he wants a fresh start under Mourinho at the Bernabeu, and is keen to put the dramas of the last year behind him.
“After Arsenal, when I went to Man City, don’t get me wrong, it’s true that I had an up and down time, and I was nearly dead as well on the way to the African Nations Cup,” Adebayor said.
“I was a little bit traumatised by all those kinds of things and it was a very difficult moment for me. Last year started very badly, but 2011 started very well by signing a contract with Real Madrid.”
“Hopefully there’s a lot of good coming my way, so I have to praise God that I’m still alive and I get the chance to wear the white shirt of Real Madrid.”
“I’m very honoured and very, very happy to join this club. And for all that has happened over the last six months today I’m more comfortable, more relieved and I’m very happy.”
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“I’m a footballer and what I need is to play football, to be out there on the pitch.”
“The most important thing for me is to enjoy myself here and everybody is making me feel at home. I’m going to talk to the boss (Mourinho) to see how I can help the team win things.”
“I’m here to learn. Players never stop learning. I will learn and from then I will have to improve my game. I have to score goals, I have to create goals, I have to make things happen.”
Until you really start to think about it, we all tend to forget just how good football was back in the ’90s. We were treated to some of the greatest goals in the greatest matches from the greatest of players. I’ve decided to list the top 10 iconic moments in football in the 1990s. Such a mammoth task is, of course, open to debate so feel free to add what you would consider the best moments.
David Beckham scoring from the half-way line: In 1995, at Selhurst Park, a young David Beckham wearing the number 24 shirt for Manchester United, announced himself to the world. Comparisons were made with legends like Rivaldo after he lobbed Neil Sullivan and he didn’t fail to live up to that reputation!
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Michael Owen against Argentina: Talking of people announcing themselves, Michael Owen didn’t do too bad a job in the quarter final of the 1998 world cup against old foes Argentina. Although it was slightly over-shadowed after the game, his wonder goal made the teenager who one of the most talked about prospects in world football.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Bayern Munich: In 1999, Manchester United won an historic treble in the most spectacular of fashion. 1-0 down in the final of the Champions League with one minute to go, Teddy Sheringham and then Solskjaer scored to crown Alex Ferguson’s side European champions for the first time since 1968.
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England V Scotland Euro 1996: England hosted a major competition for the first time since 1966 and the Euro’s threw together the ‘Auld enemy’ in a competitive match for the first time since 1984. England won 2-0 and Paul Gascoigne scored one of the goals of the tournament as he dinked it over Colin Hendry and then volleyed home. The celebration wasn’t bad either.
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Kevin Keegan: The It’s been played to death but still incredibly funny to watch. In 1996, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan embarked one the most memorable rant live on T.V. Talking about Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson, Keegan blasted: “I’d love it if we beat them. LOVE IT!”
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Steve Bruce: Manchester United won the inaugural Premier League title quite comfortably in the end. It was a huge moment for the club who hadn’t won the title in 26 years. However, the turning point in the 1992/93 season came in a game which United were losing at home to Sheffield Wednesday. After equalising, Steve Bruce headed home a 97th minute winner from a Gary Pallister cross. Old Trafford erupted and Fergie time had arrived…
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Forest 1-0 Liverpool 1992: Not a classic by any means. But it was the first ever Premier League game to shown live on Sky Sports TV. If you think of how Sky dominate football in modern times, it was quite significant time for football. Teddy Sheringham scored the only goal of the game and has the pleasure of being the player who scored the first ever live Premier League goal.
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Liverpool V Newcastle: Not so much of a ‘moment’ but certainly an iconic match. Voted the greatest ever game in the Premier League, the 1996 clash between two of the best attacking teams in the country certainly didn’t disappoint viewers. It finished 4-3 with Stan Collymore scoring in injury time. Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan, summed the moment up perfectly as he was caught hanging his head in dismay.
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Blackburn winning the league: The most memorable moment of the 1994/95 season wasn’t just Blackburn Rovers lifting the trophy. They were losing 2-1 away at Liverpool, which wouldn’t have been enough if Man United were winning at Wimbledon. They weren’t and the whole of Anfield sat waiting for the final whistle from Selhurst Park. I’ve never known a set of fans celebrate another teams victory so much! It was a great moment which summed up the unbeatable rivalry in English football.
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Paul Gascoigne: There have been some fantastic moments in the FA Cup and some great moments that are worthy of a mention like Sinclair’s famous overhead kick vs Barnsley or Giggs’ solo goal that took United a step closer to achieving the treble; however I decided to plum for Gazza’s famous free-kick in the Wembley semi final in 1991 – not only a wonderful strike, but a goal that had extra significance on events off the pitch.
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So they are my ten – please feel free to add any glaring omissions in the comments below.
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Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has affirmed his love for the club and dispelled rumours that he is unhappy at Eastlands.
“I don’t think anyone loves the shirt more than me,” Tevez told the club’s website mcfc.co.uk.
In December, the Argentina striker handed in a transfer request to City bosses amid reports that he was homesick, missing his children and even considering retiring from the game.
Yet he subsequently withdrew the request and now appears to be happier than ever at Eastlands.
“I never walked out of the club or wanted to do any harm to the club, not for anything in the world. I do not think there is anyone who loves the shirt more than me. I show that in every game I play. I give everything I have got,” he said.
“I do not speak very often to the press. I just have it in my head, I do my talking out there on the field, which is the most important thing.”
“People might want to have a pop at me but I am completely at ease here. I want to do my best for the City shirt.”
“It is a period in my career where I have begun to enjoy things more. I am happy and very relaxed as a result of the football I am producing.”
The Argentine, 27, now turns his attention to Saturday’s Manchester derby, with City looking to overhaul United’s five-point lead at the top of the table.
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Yet Tevez seemed to suggest that he and his team-mates would be more than happy with a fourth-placed finish.
“We are right in there battling it out for a Champions League place. That is what the team is aiming for and where the team ought to be.”
Mario Balotelli may not be scoring on the pitch but off the pitch his injuries have not been hindering his form. New Year Eve’s was supposed to be one he was spending with his then current girlfriend Sophie Reade, only to then sub her at the last minute for her best friend Faye Evette Betts.
To add insult to injury Balotelli dumped Reade by text shortly afterwards. The Italian has been in the headlines on several previous occasions already this season, mostly on the front pages.
He returns to action tonight, in the Manchester City squad to face Europa League side Aris Salonika with a possible starting place alongside Carlos Tevez. Obviously due to his latest shenanigans his fitness will not be a concern for manager Roberto Mancini. His manager will be hoping his recent scoring off the pitch can reproduced on it as City hope to recover from the derby defeat last Saturday.
Sophie Reade is said to be devastated by the betrayal of her best friend with her former boyfriend. Sophie took to her Twitter page to blast Mario, and her friend Faye. She posted: ‘Would like to let everyone know Faye Evette is a
and slept with the guy I was seeing! What a friend and welcome 2011.’ She added: ‘Mario Balotelli is a
!!’
Whether Balotelli has any interest in making Faye Betts his long term girlfriend remains to be seen, he may just prefer to rotate his squad, to keep his run of form going.
Click on the image below to launch the steamin’ gallery
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Premier League footballers are not always the most reasonable bunch and it often seems like their money goes to their head. There have been a whole host of players who have taken action when they have sought a move in order to ensure that they can go to a bigger club and earn a bit more money. One of the first players to do this in the modern game was Pierre Van Hooijdonk who was after a move to Nottingham Forest and said of his contract dispute with Celtic that “£7,000 a week may be good for the homeless, but not for an international striker.” The Dutch international has set the trend, are here are 10 more Premier League ‘Scallywags’ who forced their transfer moves…
Click on the image below to see the TOP 10 PL ‘Scallywags’:
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Barcelona moved 10 points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga with an uncharacteristically staid 1-0 win over Real Zaragoza on Saturday.Seydou Keita was the unlikely hero at the Camp Nou, notching just his second goal of the season two minutes from half-time to secure Barca’s fourth straight league victory.Barca was lacklustre in the first half before Lionel Messi sparked the Spanish champions into action, sweeping a cross to Keita at the far post for the Malian defender to tuck past Zaragoza goalkeeper Dolbas.It was just reward for Keita, who had earlier had a goal controversially disallowed for offside.Pep Guardiola was a less animated figure than usual on the touchline, the Barca boss still suffering from a back injury that necessitated his hospitalisation on Thursday.Real Madrid will have a chance to reduce the gap to seven points when they take on Racing Santander on Sunday.Elsewhere, Villarreal’s top-three hopes suffered a blow with a 3-1 loss at Atletico Madrid.Jose Antonio Reyes put Atletico in front five minutes in with a fine curling effort from 20 yards out, but Giuseppe Rossi drew Villarreal level with a left-footed redirection of Santi Cazorla’s free kick after 33 minutes.But Atletico responded after the break with quick goals to Sergio Aguero (69) and Diego Forlan (72), the former played in to the area by Filipe Luis for an easy finish and the latter converting from close range on Reyes’ good work.Finally, Pablo Hernandez scored in either half as Valencia ran out 2-1 winners at Mallorca, leaving the visitors well placed to clinch third spot behind Barca and Real.
The United States will lock horns with Argentina in New Jersey on Saturday in the first of two friendlies ahead of their Gold Cup campaign.The USA will be looking to extend their four-game unbeaten record that has seen them twice draw with South American opposition in Chile and Colombia.
US coach Bob Bradley has named three uncapped players for the friendly, summoning Nuremberg attacker Timothy Chandler, Duisburg keeper David Yelldell and Norwich City defender Zak Whitbread.
The game also offers Bradley the first chance to have his favoured starting squad together for the first time since a 2-2 draw with Poland.
However, the US midfield – the side’s weakest component – has been dealt a blow with Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden ruled out for six months following a collision with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans on Saturday.
Bradley’s men crashed out of last year’s FIFA World Cup in the second round after a 3-0 defeat to eventual semi-finalists Ghana, but will be hoping to secure their fifth Gold Cup crown come June.
Argentina also have a regional competition to contend with, the Copa America which kicks off in July on their home turf.
Coach Sergio Batista’s side will be buoyed by their recent international friendlies, which has seen them account for Portugal, Venezuela and great rivals Brazil.
Barcelona superstar and world player of the year Lionel Messi has recovered in time for the clash after suffering a knee injury in La Liga.
Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez has been left out of the squad with reports suggesting the prolific scorer, who has netted 18 goals this term, was being punished for his late withdrawal from the friendly against Brazil, which saw him subsequently feature for his club only three days later.
Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero is also out of the Argentina squad while Benfica striker Eduardo Salvio comes in in the absence of Inter’s prolific marksman Diego Milito.
Elsewhere, Mexico hosts Paraguay at the Estadio Azteca, with both sides looking to record a positive result ahead of the Copa America, while Chile tackles Portugal at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa in Leiria.
Earlier in the day, Colombia will face Ecuador at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez.
Peter Crouch went some way to making amends for his Champions League dismissal with a brace in Tottenham’s 3-2 win over Stoke on Saturday.Crouch was the villain for Tottenham against Real Madrid on Tuesday, with his early sending off playing a major part in his side crashing to a 4-0 defeat at the Bernabeu in the Champions League quarter final.
But he was the hero at White Hart Lane as his brace ensured Tottenham secured all three points and helped the north London club record their first victory in the English Premier League since February 12.
Harry Redknapp’s side had gone four games without a win, but they are determined to keep alive their chances of finishing in the top four and are now just three points behind Manchester City.
Stoke gave everything but this latest defeat means they are still only six points clear of the bottom three and will need a couple more victories to cement their top-flight status.
In a thrilling first half, it was Tottenham who opened the scoring on 11 minutes.
Rafael Van der Vaart played a short pass to Roman Pavlyuchenko, whose cross picked out strike partner Crouch. The England man made no mistake to nod the ball past Asmir Begovic in the Stoke goal.
Pavlyuchenko turned provider once again on 18 minutes when he fed a short ball to Luka Modric, who raced past Robert Huth into the box and fired the ball under Begovic to make it a dream start for the home side.
Stoke refused to lie down and Matthew Etherington scored a superb individual goal on 27 minutes to help his side get back into the game.
The former Tottenham winger raced from his own half past Michael Dawson and then took the ball around Tom Huddlestone in the penalty area before striking the ball through the legs of Heurelho Gomes to give Stoke a lifeline.
But Crouch restored Tottenham’s two-goal lead when he added his second of the game on 34 minutes.
The Tottenham striker rose above Ryan Shawcross to meet a cross from Huddlestone and directed a powerful header into the corner of the net.
Another cracking effort helped Stoke get back into the game on 41 minutes.
Bale lost the ball and Kenwyne Jones fired an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area which sailed into the roof of the net past Gomes.
Stoke were desperately unlucky not to grab an equaliser on 53 minutes.
Jones weaved his way into the box and crossed in for Jon Walters to shoot at Gomes, with the ball deflected onto the post.
Jones was causing all kinds of problems for the Tottenham defence and he came close to scoring once more on 57 minutes when he connected with a cross from Jermaine Pennant and saw his header fall inches past the post.
Tottenham had the ball in the Stoke net again on 67 minutes but the effort was ruled out after Younes Kaboul was adjudged to have fouled Begovic when he jumped for the ball.
Gomes came to Tottenham’s rescue on 87 minutes when he made a stunning save to deny Jones’ 25-yard effort, but the home side held on to record a crucial win.