Tag Futebol

5. Samuel Inkoom

Samuel Inkoom is one of the most promising full backs to come out of Africa and is currently plying his trade in Ukraine for Dnipro, having started his career at FC Basel.

The Ghanaian international is your old school type of full back, who knows how get stuck in and is very calm on the ball. Inkoom was recently linked with a move to Liverpool and although the move may  not materialise, be sure to keep an eye out for him in the near future.

[youtube FWRxRZVku2I]

4. André Ayew

The 21 year old is a 1st team regular for his club Marseille and country Ghana. The son of Ghanaian Legend Abedi Pele, Ayew was recently voted African player of the year so there is no doubt that Andre is one for the future.

With 52 league appearances for the French outfit and 17 goals to his name, the young left winger is making a real name for himself. Ayew’s versatility and creativity on the ball would make him a handful for any Premier League full back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him move to England within the coming years.

[youtube sgADHrXeQ94]

3. Ahmed Musa

At only 19 years of age the young Nigerian is playing for one of the best teams in Russia, CSKA Moscow, and is known for his small stature and lightening  pace.

Musa has already represented his country as a substitute  for  John Obi Mikel against Kenya in which he scored. Still a raw talent, Ahmed has bags of potential and worries the opposition with his quick feet and trickery on the ball.

Musa probably isn’t ready for the Premier League just yet, but with a little more experience and the right managerial guidance he can make the step up soon.

[youtube DLYS8AgqTLs]

2. Knowledge Musona – The 21 year old from Zimbabwe currently plies his trade in the Bundesliga. After a successful spell with South African giants the Kaizer Chiefs, where he won the golden boot, he earned a move to Hoffenheim in Germany’s top tier. As you can see from the video he has a real eye for the goal and few would bet against him following in the footsteps of Demba Ba, who plotted his move from the German side to the Premier League.

[youtube GYRQmVUo1Uk]

1. Joel Obi

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Joel Obi is one of the hottest young talents to come out of Inter Milan in years.

Extremely versatile, Obi has the ability to operate in central midfield or either flank and has already started to make an impression at the San Siro in the past two seasons. Obi is as strong as an ox, but has quick feet that enables him to get away from the opposition with relative ease. Obi has all the physical attributes for the Premier League, but whether Inter will allow him to move on remains an entire different question altogether.

[youtube 6–TgRk7jOw]

Follow me @Rantisamz

[ffcvideo file=”tfcbtitle3″ type=”mp4″ image_type=”jpg”]

Four Chelsea stars have fought an almighty battle against an army of giant Alien Invaders. But Blues fans need not worry too much, as their heroes were only taking part in a shoot for the latest 3D projection viral from 188BET.

188BET, the official betting partner of the London club, challenged David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Paulo Ferreira and Nicolas Anelka to play Alien Invaders, a huge interactive video game beamed on to a 90-foot wall in a warehouse in Battersea, south-west London.

The players had to destroy the Alien Invaders by kicking footballs at the giant screen, with 50 points awarded for hitting a single alien and a bonus 188 points on offer for hitting the Alien Invaders ‘mothership’.

After some intense action, striker Anelka was the sharpest shooter with a score of 2088. The Frenchman’s exceptional accuracy was rewarded with a special 188BET Alien Invaders trophy and, more importantly, a donation by 188BET of £1,500 to charity of his choice.

[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]

This latest viral from the online gaming company follows on from their hugely popular video created to help promote London Wasps’ St George’s Day game that saw London Wasps players ‘slay’ a 50-foot dragon projected on to the side of Twickenham.

“It was a funny game, a good game to play and I hope one day I can have a garden big enough for this kind of game,” Anelka joked. “The four of us enjoyed it and we were trying to help each other out getting the footballs back but I am happy that I won. The trophy will now sit next to the Premier League medal and all my other trophies!”

Jeff Baker, Head of Marketing Services at 188BET, said: “188BET is always trying to think of new and innovative ways to activate its relationships with its partner clubs. For this video, we combined the latest in 3D projection technology with the skill of Premier League footballers, to create what we hope will be an original, fun and engaging video.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

To help mark the launch, 188BET is offering fans around the world a chance to win a series of money-can’t-buy prizes, details of which can be found at www.188promo.com/invaders.

[youtube 0IgCmJWAnrI]

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has confirmed manager Roy Hodgson could be bought out of his contract should the club be sold.

With New England Sprts Venture expected to take the ailing Premier League side on, Broughton has admitted a clause was placed in the former Fulham coach's contract when he joined in the summer.

It has been reported that Hodgson would receive a £3million lump sum should any new owners decide they want a new man at the helm, pouring uncertainty on his future.

"Roy knew when he signed from Fulham that we were in the process of finding new owners," he revealed.

"He was fully reconciled with the possibility there would be an ownership change and the risk involved with that.

"With that in mind, provisions were made in Roy's contract to relate specifically to any change in ownership."

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

It was Monday 6th February; a deeply depressing day for one Emmanuel Frimpong. The first glimpse of the bad news was first realised by his loyal Twitter following who saw via his BlackBerry device that his season had been cruelly ended with immediate effect by injury.

“Bad News is that I’m out for 6-9months with my Knee Gd News is that I will therefore have all the time in my hands to be doin #frimmyfacts”

Indeed, although football fans everywhere will be inundated with further editions of #frimmyfacts over the coming months, the 20-year-olds on field presence will be truly missed by both Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

If anything, Frimpong will have too much spare time on his hands now to groom his Twitter following, after suffering a recurrence of the anterior cruciate ligament injury which has this time transpired in his right knee.

Following Frimpong’s nine month lay-off in 2010 where the injury hampered his left knee, should Arsenal fans be concerned over their latest talented youngsters long-term fitness?

Well, he may be the joker of the Arsenal and since Wolves dressing rooms, but Emmanuel Frimpong’s latest injury setback is no laughing matter. The midfielder missed the entire 2010/11 season after receiving the injury in the early stages of the campaign. Indeed, we may have all been made aware of Frimpong’s powerful style a season sooner, had the injury not occurred.

It is a massive shame for all connected with Arsenal and Wolves whereby he impressed making Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up in all five of the Premier League games since he agreed to join on the very last day of 2011.

Much similar to Jack Wilshere’s loan move to Bolton in January 2010, Arsene Wenger was hoping that valuable Premier League experience would prove pivotal in the early stages of Frimpong’s career also.

Current first-choice holding midfielder Alex Song too achieved success via the route of signing on loan for a struggling Premier League outfit when he joined Charlton in 2007.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

It seemed apparent that Frimpong was just the latest Gunners youngster to sample Arsene Wenger’s tried and tested loan passage through to the Arsenal first team reckoning.

The Arsenal Official Website read that

‘Emmanuel will see specialists in London over the next few days before having surgery and starting a programme of rehabilitation’.

In the long-term, Arsenal fans might be worried that Frimpong won’t be able to shake his injury nightmare away much like the metatarsal fractures that have reared their ugly ahead upon Wayne Rooney over the years.

Frimpong has forged a reputation as a strong athlete who doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game. Indeed, he received a red card on his full Arsenal debut in the home defeat to Liverpool earlier this season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Being a defensive minded midfielder and a #DENCH strong athlete of sorts, Frimpong wholehearted approach will mean he will always be susceptible to picking up knocks and Arsenal fans will wait and wonder as to whether his long-term career will be blighted by injuries, or whether these are just unfortunate incidences at the start of a fulfilling career.

Arsenal fans everywhere will wish both Frimpong and the also sidelined Wilshere the speediest of recoveries as the club maintains their push for a place in the Premier League’s top four.

Follow me @http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989

[ffcvideo file=”coffebreak2″ type=”mp4″ image_type=”jpg”]

Manchester United can wrap up their 19th title in English top-flight football if they earn at least a draw at Blackburn on Saturday.Given Rovers’ form in the second half of the season, that task should be all too easy for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who took apart title challengers Chelsea 2-1 in their last start to all but sew up the English Premier League crown.

Steve Kean’s men have turned somewhat of a corner after an 11-match winless run, with a victory over Bolton and a draw away at West Ham, but their relegation plight is yet to be resolved as they sit just three points above drop zone inhabitants Blackpool.

The spotlight on Saturday, however, will be on United as they seek to seal a record-breaking 19th championship, to move clear of Liverpool’s tally of 18.

Ferguson has a plethora of options on the selection table, with just Owen Hargreaves (shoulder) occupying their injury list, and the Scottish boss will no doubt be wary of avoiding injuries in their last two league matches prior to the Champions League final later this month.

Rovers’ injury list consists of David Dunn (calf), Michel Salgado (knee), Ryan Nelsen (knee) and Vinnie Grella (Achilles), with Dunn and Salgado in the mix to return on Saturday.

Manchester United embarrassed Blackburn 7-1 at Old Trafford in November last year, with striker Dimitar Berbatov scoring five, and the Bulgarian might be in line for a recall if Ferguson wishes to rest either of his first-choice front men in Wayne Rooney or Javier Hernandez.

Berbatov has been pushed out of United’s starting 11 in the latter part of the season courtesy of Hernandez’s form, although ironically the 30-year-old leads the Premier League goal scoring charts on 21.

Goal celebrations have become a ubiquitous sight in the modern game. With players going to great lengths on the training-ground to perfect their celebrations, it seems right to reward the very best with a spot on our top 10 list of goal celebrations.

10. Finidi George

Finidi George ‘took the piss’ out of Greece quite literally with this unique celebration in the 1994 World Cup. The Nigerian winger capped off a swift counter-attack with a deft chip over the goalkeeper and proceeded to celebrate by imitating a urinating dog by cocking his leg to one side.

[divider]

9. Jurgen Klinsmann

Klinsmann arrived in England with a reputation as a diver and he played up to this image with his iconic goal celebration of diving head first and sliding along the pitch. His celebration has become so well known that it is referred to as ‘doing a Klinsmann’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Bx8Jc2HrQ

[divider]

8. Craig Bellamy

Apparently, Craig Bellamy takes his karaoke very seriously. Bellamy didn’t take kindly to John Arne Riise refusing to take part in a team sing-a-long and went all Ellen Woods on the Norwegian and took a nine-iron to Riise’s shins.

Liverpool’s first game after the golf-club incident was against Barcelona in the Champions League and almost inevitably, Bellamy found himself on the score-sheet. He decided to mark the occasion with an imaginary swing of a golf club. In a final act of poetic irony, Bellamy set up Riise for the winning goal as Liverpool won 2-1 at the Nou Camp.

[divider]

7. Cristiano Lucarelli

We all know that footballers tend to love themselves a bit more than regular folk but Livorno legend Cristiano Lucarelli takes it one step further. After putting Livorno 3-0 up against Piacenza, Lucarelli proceeded to take off his shirt and dry-hump it in what can only be described as one of the most bizarre celebrations ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq118I668M8

Continued on Page TWO

6. Francisco Gallardo

Carrying on the homoerotic high-jinks is ex-Sevilla player Francisco Gallardo who decided to celebrate Jose Antonio Reyes’ goal by nibbling on his penis. Gallardo’s peckishness for pecker was viewed rather dimly by the Spanish Football Federation who fined and suspended Gallardo for being in breach of the rules that govern “sporting dignity and decorum”.

[youtube KLiK91U-UpM]

[divider]

5. Temuri Ketsbaia

Scoring a goal is meant to be a joyous occasion but for Ketsbaia, it was an opportunity to vent some frustration. Unhappy with his frequent role as a substitute, Ketsbaia celebrated his last-minute winner against Bolton by flinging his shirt into the crowd and attempting to do the same with his boots. When that didn’t come off, he decided to violently kick the advertising hoardings while fending off his teammate Phillipe Albert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlqCCDh9XT0

[divider]

4. Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne’s infamous ‘dentist chair’ celebration after he scored his brilliant goal against Scotland is one of the most memorable celebrations of all time. Gascoigne was photographed on a pre-tournament tour in Hong Kong strapped into a dentist’s chair with alcohol being poured into his mouth. Upon scoring his goal, Gazza decided the recreate the occasion by laying on his back while a teammate sprayed water into his open mouth.

[divider]

Continued on Page THREE

3. Robbie Fowler

Robbie Fowler’s controversial goal celebration against Everton landed the Kop legend in hot water. The striker celebrated his goal by pretending the white line of the penalty area was cocaine. This was in response to false accusations that Fowler was a drug user. Manager Gerard Houllier launched a ludicrous attempt to defend Fowler’s celebrations by claiming that he was ‘eating the grass’. Somehow Gerard, I don’t think so.

[youtube lsAUL03Xse0]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[divider]

2. Jimmy Bullard

Jimmy Bullard has developed a reputation as one of the funniest players in the game and naturally it fell to him to deliver one of the best celebrations of all time. Bullard scored Hull City’s equaliser against Manchester City from the penalty spot and he replicated manager Phil Brown’s infamous on-pitch team talk from the previous season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajB-D_h2xsM

[divider]

1. FC Stjarnan

Clinching the number one spot on our list are the players of Icelandic club FC Stjarnan who have come up with a whole host of creative celebrations. These include the human toilet, the human bicycle and my personal favourite the catching and photographing of a fish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW7__LqrXSA

Any other celebrations you feel should have made the list?

Like my article? Follow me on Twitter

Subscribe to my RSS feed

An enquiry into the death of former Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed has heard that his death may well have been accidental, but that days before he had sent a text message to his wife mentioning suicide.

The ex-Wales manager was found dead in the garage of his home on November 27th, in a tragic and shocking incident that has rocked the game in Britain.

Speed’s widow Louise was present at the enquiry at Warrington Town Hall in Cheshire, as coroner Nicholas Rheinberg delved deeper into the death.

“The evidence does not sufficiently determine whether this was intentional or accidental,” the medical man stated.

Mrs Speed told the enquiry that they had exchanged angry words on the night before his demise, and that her husband had ‘talked in terms of taking his life’ in a text message just days before.

Mrs Speed also stated that the stress of become the Welsh national manager had taken it’s toll on the couples relationship, with additional responsibilities and commitments forcing the coach to spend less time with his family.

Former Newcastle team-mate Alan Shearer also wrote a letter that was heard by the enquiry, and admitted his sheer surprise at the news of Speed’s death.

“Gary didn’t appear worried about anything. Gary seemed to be enjoying his job as Wales manager and coped with the pressure well,” Shearer stated.

“He knew what it was like beforehand and some part of him liked to work under pressure. When I left the studio on that Saturday I expected to hear from him on the Monday.

“On Sunday I got the phone call telling me Gary had died. I didn’t believe it. I was shocked. Gary is probably one of the last people out of my million friends to ever do that.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“I had only seen him the day before and he seemed fine, we had plans for the following week too. It just didn’t and still doesn’t make sense to me,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker insists his footballer of the year award will lose some of its lustre should the club be relegated this season.It was revealed on Friday that Parker, 30, was this season’s recipient of the Football Writers’ player of the year award, and he will receive the honour at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on May 12.

But with West Ham sitting second from the bottom in the English Premier League, two points short of safety with five games to play, Parker said the award will count for little should his side drop to the Championship.

When asked if relegation would tarnish the award, Parker replied: “Yes, I suppose it will.”

“I stated recently the main focus this year is staying in the Premier League with West Ham, and, if we don’t do it after all the personal accolades, it will be very, very disappointing.”

“We have got a very good squad, some very good players, but for one reason or another we haven’t picked up the points we need.”

“If I could put my finger on it I’d be doing everything I can – whether it’s players underperforming, whatever. We need to try and pick up some results.”

Nevertheless, Parker said he was delighted to be recognised for his efforts this season, as he became the first West Ham player since Bobby Moore in 1964 to claim the prize.

“I’m absolutely delighted, it’s fantastic to get the award. When I got the phone call to say I’d won it I was speechless really,” he said.

“I feel like I have been playing some good stuff so I’m just glad that people appreciate what I’ve been doing.”

“I’m probably playing the best football of my career (because of) experience. I’ve stayed away from injuries, and I’m playing in the team regularly. You get a bit older, you learn a lot more. Things become a little more easier for you.”

Birmingham City's Ben Foster has set his sights on becoming England new number one goalkeeper.

Foster has made an impressive start to life at St Andrew's following a £4million summer switch from Manchester United.

The 27-year-old left Old Trafford in search of regular first-team football with the goal of becoming England number one on his mind.

The keeper earned the Blues a 2-1 Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday following a penalty save from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Foster, who has been capped four times, will compete for the international starting jersey with Manchester City's Joe Hart ahead of next month's European Championship qualifying double-header with Bulgaria and Switzerland.

"When I'm with England I want to be playing, it's as simple as that really," he declared.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"I want to be playing no matter who I'm with and England's no different."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

According to various sources, Liverpool’s Director of Football Damien Comolli has been keeping tabs on German International Lukas Podolski who is viewed by many as an adept replacement for Luis Suarez whilst he plays out an 8-game ban.

This transfer rumour essentially assumes two things: Suarez’s appeal will fail and Kenny Dalglish has no faith in his misfiring striker Andy Carroll . There’s no doubt that Podolski is a talented forward and a natural goal-scorer, but it’s worth considering whether this would be a good move for Liverpool.

Firstly, we should note that Carroll’s Liverpool career hasn’t been a great success. His impact has been negligible and he has struggled for both confidence and goals. Of course, there’s every chance that he’ll leap on the opportunity created by Suarez’s absence, recover his form and start banging in goals, but on present evidence Liverpool fans won’t be full of confidence.

Then there’s Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy who have impressed sporadically this season, but are perhaps more effective when they’re played out on the wings. One thing Liverpool are desperately lacking at the moment is goals. I wouldn’t be surprised, therefore, if Dalglish felt the need to bring in some forward reinforcement this January.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

In contrast to Liverpool’s strikeforce, Lukas Podolski has enjoyed a fabulous couple of years in the Bundesliga. This season in particular has seen him grab an impressive (and Robin Van Persie-esque) 14 goals in 15 games for Cologne. It’s thought that the Polish born German International would be willing to make a move to the Premier League as despite his efforts his side are currently languishing in 10th place in the German League.

If Liverpool’s interest is genuine, they may well find themselves in competition with Arsenal, who are also desperate to bring in a world class striker.

But will Liverpool be willing to match FC Koln ’s £16.6m evaluation of their player? Liverpool’s owners have already dished out £100m on new signings and arrived at the club with a promise to cut out ‘wasteful spending’. Will they be willing to spend big money on a player who may not be necessary once Luis Suarez returns from his 8-game ban?

Even with his quality, it’s worth considering that Liverpool spent £35m on Andy Carroll only a year ago. Shouldn’t they be trying to get the most of their faltering star? During his time at Newcastle he proved he can get goals and if the club could help him recover his form they wouldn’t have to look to the transfer market and another big money signing.

At the very most Liverpool should look to secure a striker in a loan deal, so that the players they already have don’t get squeezed out over the course of the season. But for now, it doesn’t seem necessary to me that the club pursues Lukas Podolski.

But what’s your take? Would Podolski be a good signing for Liverpool?

Article courtesy of Harry Cloke from This is Futbol

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[divider]

 FREE football app that pays you CASH

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]