Spurs Villa & Arsenal On Standby As N'Zogbia Seeks Way Out Of Toon

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Premier League trio Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Aston Villa will all be on alert after Newcastle United player Charles N’Zogbia revealed that he is ready to quit the Magpies.

22-year-old N’Zogbia has been heavily tipped to leave St James’ Park this month, with Spurs along with the Gunners and Martin O’Neill’s Villans side all reportedly interested in the French Under-21 International.

While Arsenal’s interest in the versatile left-sided player seems to have cooled. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is well documented as looking for a solution to the problem on the left at White Hart Lane and sees N’Zogbia as a viable alternative to Stewart Downing, who looks set to remain at Middlesbrough.

Villa are also looking for a player with pace at left-back, with recent reports suggesting that O’Neill is ready to offer Villa misfit Nicky Shorey to Newcastle in a straight player swap.

Toon boss Joe Kinnear has always stated that none of Newcastle’s top players will be leaving in January, but is unlikely to keep N’Zogbia, who is determined to leave St James’ Park after four-and-a-half years.

N’Zogbia told www.lyoncapitale.fr: “There have been some changes at Newcastle recently. I have experienced six different managers in four years, and it is too much.

“Every season is getting worse and worse despite the lofty goals of the club. I therefore decided to leave, to try to find better exposure."

Ligue 1 Champions Lyon are also said to be interested in N’Zogbia, with the former Le Havre player conceding that his future ultimately depended on whether Newcastle are prepared to sell as he is under contract at the North East club until 2012.

“It is for the club to decide,” he added in L'Equipe.

“If Newcastle decide to keep me, I will stay. I will have no choice.

“I am waiting. They (Lyon) may actually have contacted my agent, but I did not get feedback.

“What is certain is that Lyon is a good club. Whether they really want me remains to be seen.”

Villa To Offer N'Zogbia Route Out Of Toon?

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Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is to step up his efforts to sign Charles N’Zogbia from Premier League rivals Newcastle United and is ready to offer Nicky Shorey as part of the deal in order to land the Frenchman.

Magpies boss Joe Kinnear has insisted that N’Zogbia will not be allowed to leave St James’ Park in January, with Tottenham Hotspur also reportedly interested in the versatile left-sided player, who is keen on a move away from the Premiership side.

Despite not wanting N’Zogbia to leave, Kinnear is an admirer of England International Shorey, who has fallen out of favour at Villa Park since his £3.5million switch from Championship club Reading in the summer. With a straight swap deal between the Toon and the Villans being mooted for the pair.

22-year-old N’Zogbia had expressed a desire to play for Arsenal recently, but Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of the former Le Havre player arriving at the Emirates Stadium this month.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is also a fan of N’Zogbia and the Frenchman’s versatility makes the player an attractive proposition for Redknapp, who is keen to add balance to the left-hand side of the squad at White Hart Lane.

However, with Kinnear interested in 27-year-old Shorey and N’Zogbia desperate for a move away from the North East a swap involving the pair is the most likely outcome. If the two clubs can broker a deal that would see all parties happy.

FA Cup Draw: Man United v Spurs - Liverpool v Everton - Kettering v Fulham.....

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Tottenham Hotspur are due to face Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford if United overcome Championship side Southampton in their third round clash.

The Red Devils and Spurs are both destined to meet at Wembley in the Carling Cup if they can overcome Derby County and Burnley respectively in their forthcoming semi-finals.

The only other, all Premier League fourth round tie pairs Liverpool and Everton together in a Merseyside derby at Anfield. Arsenal, have been drawn away to Cardiff City, while Fulham are away at non-league club Kettering Town. West Ham United must travel to Victoria Park to face League 1 side Hartlepool, who knocked Premiership club Stoke City out in the last round.

All fourth round FA Cup ties are to be played over the weekend of January 24-25th.

Full FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

Birmingham/Wolves v Middlesbrough

Cardiff v Arsenal

Chelsea/Southend v Ipswich

Cheltenham/Doncaster v Aston Villa

Derby v Nottm Forest

Hartlepool v West Ham United

Hull City/Newcastle v Millwall/Crewe

Kettering v Fulham

Leyton Orient/Sheff Utd v Charlton/Norwich

Liverpool v Everton

Portsmouth/Bristol City v Histon/Swansea

Southampton/Manchester Utd v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland v Blyth/Blackburn

Torquay v Coventry

Watford v Leicester/Crystal Palace

West Bromwich Albion/Peterborough v QPR/Burnley

Are Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea & Blackburn Guilty Of Not Giving Home Grown Talent A Chance?

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While on Manchester United’s foray in Japan for the World Club Championships, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has once again reiterated that he would like to see a limit on foreign players in the starting XI’s in the Premier League, with the United boss all in favour of having to field 6 British players in the starting XI.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's match against Gamba Osaka Ferguson said: “I think it should be a concern when local and national players are not given opportunities, so therefore eventually there have to be limitations on foreign players. That way clubs' youth systems are protected. Progress is progress and the future has to protect the national game.”

Even though we all know this contravenes EU law and is highly unlikely to be introduced. What would happen in the Premiership if it, was introduced today?

The first club that springs to mind would be Arsenal, having fielded an entire team of foreign imports on more than one occasion. However, they do have 11 players from the British Isles in the first team squad, though not one of these players is out of their teens yet. So while they have youngsters coming through they would struggle to have six British players start for them in the Premier League and be competitive. Leaving them to field their Carling Cup kids to meet the quota.

Chelsea, don’t even have the option of fielding British youngsters, because they simply don’t have any. While they do have 5 England Internationals at Stamford Bridge if you look further than that they only have 2 other English players in the first team squad. Yes they also have Michael Mancienne on loan at Wolves, but with Luiz Felipe Scolari willing to send a player out on loan that has pushed himself into the thoughts of England boss Fabio Capello, with his performances for the Under-21’s. What message does that send to the British schoolboys at the club?

You then look at Liverpool and it would appear that Rafa Benitez’s side would struggle immediately if this quota was introduced. Only 8 English players and Irishman Robbie Keane in the squad, with only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher along with Keane likely to be in Rafa’s starting line-up on any given match day. In fact no British talent has emerged from the Red half of Merseyside and been used by Liverpool consistently since Gerrard and Carragher along with Michael Owen burst on to the football scene many years ago now. They have 7 British players out on loan, but we all know these players are highly unlikely to feature for the Reds in the future.

So now to Blackburn, who you might have thought, would have a British heart and soul? Not at all, only 6 English players, 3 Irish and a Welshman and of these they could just about scrape together the required 6. For 3 of these 10 players are goalkeepers and Danny Simpson is on loan. So Blackburn would struggle to as they are now anyway if this quota were to be introduced.

So is it any surprise that Ferguson would like to see this quota introduced, with the knowledge that as it stands now it would severely impair his three closest rivals, while having little effect on his own side

If you go through the rest of the squads in the Premier League most clubs would be ok, with all the other clubs having enough British players on their books that either play for the first team or have a realistic chance of playing in it. Tottenham might have the best of it, with Spurs able to field 7 England Internationals, 3 England Under-21’s, 2 Welsh Internationals and a Scottish International if all fit. Although one of the Under-21’s is on loan, but could still field a very strong side as they have the players there to choose from. Aston Villa would find it very easy to, with their current crop at Villa Park.

So regardless of whether a quota is ever introduced shouldn’t clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, Blackburn and to a lesser extent Arsenal as the Gunners have a crop of English youngsters coming through, be looking to produce some real home grown talent and not be looking abroad every time, when trying to find new recruits for their clubs? Not just for their progression, but for the progression of the game in England.

The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

Who Can Continue The Legend Of The United No7?

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The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

With Tottenham Hotspur legend Ossie Ardiles revealing to FootballFancast that he thought Eric Cantona was the reason Manchester United are what they are today. I believe that not only did the Frenchman bring something to United and the Premier League, but he also bought back a swagger to go with the No7 shirt that had not been seen at Old Trafford since the days of George Best and his celebrity lifestyle and genius on the pitch.

Though different off the pitch, both had a swagger that endeared them to both United fans and the footballing world in general. Just like Best, Cantona knew how good he was and he didn’t mind showing it. During five-years at United Cantona entertained, excited and produced the unexpected before retiring and handing over the shirt to a young David Beckham, who had come through the youth system to claim the number.

Beckham carried on the tradition of the United No7 for the next six years, with a different type of swagger, but a swagger of sorts.

With the glamour lifestyle and all the trappings of celebrity the United No7 had started to become something that you have to be a little more than just a very good footballer to carry off.

Now the occupant of the shirt is Cristiano Ronaldo and whatever you think of him he can play and definitely has the swagger, with his tricky skills, posturing and again like Best and Cantona, knows how good he is. However, after two outstanding seasons for United, Ronaldo’s return from injury to the Premiership this season has been largely subdued, with the Ballon d’Or winner seeming to slip back to his petulant ways after a summer of ‘will he, wont he’ leave United. Now speculation is rife again, that a departure from Old Trafford is on the cards next summer, with Real Madrid still sniffing around like a dog at a lamppost.

So should the Portuguese winker leave for the Bernabeu eventually, who, can Sir Alex replace him with?

For the last sixteen-years Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo have worn the No7, with the Red Devils having the most successful period in their history during this time. The most successful period before that being when Best had the No7. So the next incumbent of the shirt must have something about them just to be able to take the sheer weight of it when it is passed on from Ronaldo. Any takers?

United have been linked with South American pair Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia at Wigan in the past, but while they might be good players are either the new No7? Serbian Zoran Tosic might be a candidate, with the 21-year-old winger on the verge of a move from Partizan Belgrade, but holding out for better personal terms. While his Partizan team-mate 17-year-old Adem Ljajic dubbed the ‘Little Kaka’ in Serbia, who has also been linked with United could possibly wear it in the future. Or maybe an established big name from another big club that believes he is the one ready to dazzle and posture his way into Old Trafford folklore?

One thing is for certain though, whoever ends up wearing the No7 for United, will not only have to be an excellent player, but also big enough and flash enough in some ways to carry the burden of the shirt. For the person that does eventually get it. It remains to be seen if the swagger continues or skips a few generations like it did after Best. For after the departure of the Irishman, United did not win the league again until the next man with a true Gaelic swagger came along.

Just for the record the most successful United No7 in terms of major medals is Beckham, with nine, then Cantona with six, Ronaldo has four and counting, while Best had three, but who has the biggest swagger?

Spurs To swoop For Liverpool & Villa Target?

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Tottenham Hotspur are planning a sensational £7million January swoop for Liverpool and Aston Villa target Antonio Valencia at Wigan Athletic, according to The Mirror.

23-year-old Valencia has been heavily linked with a move away from the JJB Stadium next month, with the Ecuadorian International reportedly on the wish list of both Reds manager Rafa Benitez and Villans boss Martin O’Neill, who are both eager to lure the right winger away from their Premier League rivals.

Now Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is understood to be interested in the Latics midfielder, with former White Hart Lane boss Juande Ramos now in charge at Real Madrid said to be keen on Tottenham wingers Aaron Lennon and David Bentley.

Should the Los Merengues coach make a move for either Lennon or Bentley next month, Redknapp has identified Valencia as the player to fill the void left by any departure at the North London club.

However, Tottenham will face stiff competition from Villa and Liverpool along with resistance from Wigan boss Steve Bruce, who has always maintained that Valencia will not be leaving the JJB in January and is a pivotal part of the Latics team.

Valencia joined Wigan from Recreativo on a permanent basis in 2007 after a successful loan spell at the JJB the previous season, with the midfielder making 59 league appearances and scoring 7 goals for the Latics since his arrival in the Premiership.

How Much Will Spurs Spend In January? ‘Arry Talk’ Reading Between The Lines

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The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

With Spurs boss Harry Redknapp revealing earlier this week that after meeting with chairman Daniel Levy that there will be no big bags of cash to be thrown around in January and that he would be “happy” to get a couple of loan signings in at Tottenham next month. What exactly does he mean?

Well considering Tottenham have spent £50million or thereabouts in the last two summers on players. Does that mean if he is given £20million it’s not lots of cash, or does it mean £5million, £10million?

If you look at the Spurs squad in general there are a few positions that need strengthening immediately. Firstly Tottenham have been crying out for a quality holding midfielder and have been since Michael Carrick left for Manchester United. Second is another striker. The possibility of Fraizer Campbell returning to United, would leave Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent as the only two strikers at White Hart Lane. Even if Campbell sees out his loan, Spurs still need another one. Thirdly is a goalkeeper, whether it is to replace Heurelho Gomes or to provide serious competition. Because if, Arry rated Spurs No2, Cesar Sanchez he would have given him an opportunity by now, with Cesar looking like he is heading back to Spain with Valencia anyway.

My maths is not the best, but I know three won’t go into two ‘loan signings’. Saying that I think he will get a couple in on loan on a try before you buy basis, it’s Redknapp’s ‘wheeler dealer’ way.

However, you can’t always get the type of quality your looking for that way, so some money is going to have to be spent. So will Tottenham sell to buy? If you look outside the regular first-team squad at Tottenham it’s hard to see where substantial funds will be raised from, with the likes of Ricardo Rocha, Paul Stalteri, Gilberto, Adel Taarabt, Hossam Ghaly, Cesar and possibly Chris Gunter likely to be the players Redknapp is keen to sell.

Tottenham would be laughing all the way to the bank if they got anywhere near £15million for the seven of them. Yet, Spurs have been linked with a £16million swoop for West Ham pair Matthew Upson and Robert Green and a £9million move for Elano at Man City along with Venuzuelan midfielder Juan Arango at Real Mallorca, who looks like he will cost from the videos I’ve seen of him. A further £12million for Stewart Downing at Middlesbrough and this is just the last couple of days. Add to that Argentine Fernando Cavenaghi at around £10million from Bordeaux or another decent striker at the same amount and the bill is starting to soar like a tourist’s in a Soho clip joint.

So it just doesn’t add up, Levy will have to back him unless they have agreed to get by until the summer and go LARGE then like Tottenham have in the past two.

I think how much Redknapp is given will depend on if there is European football at White Hart Lane in the New Year. So should Spurs progress in the UEFA Cup next Thursday, which they are expected to do then I can only see money forthcoming from Levy. Yes it won’t be £50million, but it will be enough when added to Redknapp’s wheeling and dealing skills to ensure Tottenham have the players they need come February 1st.

Or to look at it another way, former QPR and Plymouth manager Ian Holloway might have put it like this: ‘When you have just started dating a nice lady and she is doing the business.

‘You take her anywhere she wants to go. It’s when the sparkle disappears, that you stop talking and sit in front of the telly every night, with a bag of chips.’

Is Hennessey On His Way To Spurs?

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Last Monday and old friend of mine, who I have not seen for a while called me up and invited me for dinner on Tuesday. I was free so I went round and one of the first things I said to him, was that Spurs have been heavily linked with 21-year-old Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey as he is as passionate about the Midlands club as I am about Tottenham.

That’s why he had invited me you see, according to him Hennessey is coming to Spurs and a deal has been agreed for around £6million. Hennessey is fit, but has been on the bench of late, which has not made him a happy bunny, with Wolves manager Mick McCarthy preferring Carl Ikeme between the posts at the Molineux Stadium at the moment, although Hennessey did start against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, but only because Ikeme is injured and the only other keeper at Wolves is Shane Higgs, who is on loan from Cheltenham Town.

Now my friend although he lives in London goes to every Wolves game and has very good connections at the club. So I reported it as an exclusive on Premiershiplatest.com the next day, who I write for fulltime. After having the time to mull it over and coming to the conclusion that it added up. It’s no secret that Harry is in the market for a new keeper at White Hart Lane come January, maybe even two, given his reluctance to give Cesar a chance. Whether one keeper or two arrives, there will be a new goalkeeper at Tottenham in January.

So as the story grew on Wednesday I waited for a denial or confirmation to come from Wolves claiming that the Welsh International would not be joining Spurs or that he was on his way to Tottenham, but nothing. Does no denial mean that he is actually on his way to The Lane in January?

The Wolves forums that picked up on it were also not quick to shoot it down, in fact almost every comment posted believed that Hennessey would leave Wanderers and that £6million was about right for the keeper. They also picked up on what my friend had said to me. That McCarthy is a stubborn bugger and that he would have no qualms about leaving an unhappy player on the bench until he can sell him. After all he held his ground with Roy Keane many moons ago and strikes me as the type of guy, who once his mind is made up it wont be changed.

Well a few days have passed now and still no news if this is true or not, but the longer the silence continues the more l think Hennessey will be joining Spurs. So what do you think is the young keeper on his way? Is Hennessey coming as No1 or to provide healthy competition for Heurelho Gomes? Most importantly is he good enough for Tottenham?

My friend says he is an excellent keeper, with real potential, but like former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson tends to be stuck to his line on crosses, which was also the consensus from the Wolves fans. So perhaps Redknapp is getting him in so he can nick his sticky boots and make Gomes wear them.

The Jake Briggs column at TheProudCockerel.co.uk

Stoke v West Brom Premiership Preview: Lawrence Still Out For Potters – Barnett Back In Contention For Baggies

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Stoke City play, Tony Mowbray’s West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Potters manager Tony Pulis will go into the clash with West Brom full of confidence, despite being thrashed 5-0 by Premier League Champions Manchester United last weekend. Stoke might be just a point off the relegation zone, but have proved hard to beat in the Premiership at the Britannia, with wins against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Aston Villa already this season.

The Baggies know that they have to start picking up points in the Premiership quickly if they are to survive and have only one point to show for their last six games in the Premiership. A run in which they have only scored three times and conceded 17, which sees West Brom rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

Pulis is still unable to call on Liam Lawrence (ankle) and Andrew Davies (knee), who are both still a week away from fitness, but otherwise has a full squad to choose from for the visit of the Baggies to the Britannia.

West Brom will be missing Kim Do-Heon and Neil Clement, who both have knee injuries, but could welcome back Leon Barnett for the clash with the Potters if the defender shakes off a knee injury in time for this must win game.

Stoke City: (from) Sorensen, Griffin, Higginbotham, Olofinjana, Cort, Whelan, Soares, Cresswell, Fuller, Sidibe, Kitson, Pugh, Pericard, Matteo, Shawcross, Diao, A Faye, Tonge, Delap, A Diagne-Faye, Phillips, Simonsen, Wilkinson, Dickinson, Sonko

West Bromwich Albion: (from) Carson, Hoefkens, Robinson, Cech, Barnett, Koren, Greening, Bednar, Miller, Brunt, MacDonald, Moore, Dorrans, Pele, Kiely, Teixeira, Slusarski, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Morrison, Valero, Donk