Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is without doubt one of the most interesting, but controversial players in the current game. Flashes of brilliance for the Etihad Stadium outfit, Inter and Italy testify to the 21-year-old’s ability, but scandal and strange off-field behaviour have never been too far away in the attacker’s short career to date. Currently suspended by the FA for kicking out at Tottenham’s Scott Parker, here is the flamboyant forward’s rap sheet:

• Born to Ghanian parents Thomas and Rose Barwuah, Balotelli had a life-threatening intestinal illness as a child that he survived. Taken into the care of Francesco and Silvia Balotelli at the age of three, Balotelli accused his biological parents of ‘glory hunting’ when they tried to make contact with him after he became a professional footballer.
• Signed for Inter back in 2006 from Serie C side Lumezzane, Balotelli had a trial at Barcelona at the age of 15 but did not make the grade.
• Made 59 appearances for Inter, scoring 20 goals. Won three Serie A championships, one Coppa Italia, one Supercoppa Italiana and the Champions League in 2009-10.
• Infuriated Inter fans when he wore an AC Milan shirt in a television interview, was reportedly seen shopping in the AC Milan superstore, and his numerous fallings out with Jose Mourinho blighted his time at the San Siro.
• Moved to Manchester City in August 2010 for a fee of £24 million, following Roberto Mancini to England.
• ‘Mad Mario’ has been involved in a raft of motoring incidents; he has been fined £10,000 in parking fines during his time in the United Kingdom, has had his car impounded 27 times and crashed his Maserati sports car within days of having it imported from Italy. Turned the backyard of his English mansion into a quad bike track.
• Balotelli is not shy when it comes to flashing the cash; when pulled over police the striker had £5000 in his wallet. When asked why he was carrying so much money by the police officer he replied: “Because I am rich.” In December 2011 he dressed up as Santa and handed out money on the streets of Manchester; the same month Balotelli also donated £200 to his local church, before paying for a £1000 round in a bar the same day.
• Disciplinary matters have blighted his career – Balotelli has been sent off against West Brom, Dinamo Kiev and Liverpool. Fined £100,000 for throwing a dart at a City youth player.
• Let off fireworks in his house the night before a Manchester derby, before becoming an ambassador for firework safety. Broke a curfew before a game against Chelsea to go to a local curry house, where he was involved in a mock sword-fight using rolling pins.
• Scored in the said Manchester derby and unveiled a t-shirt with ‘Why Always Me?’ on it; City went on to win 6-1 at Old Trafford.
• Has been involved in training ground bust-ups with Vincent Kompany, Jerome Boateng, Carlos Tevez and most recently Micah Richards.
• After City won the FA Cup in 2011, Balotelli said: “This season I have been s***. Can I say that?”, on live television.
• After he won the European Golden Boy trophy in 2010, Balotelli claimed to have never heard of runner up Jack Wilshere and stated that Lionel Messi was the only player in the world better than him.
• Incensed Roberto Mancini by trying an audacious pirouette finish when through on goal in friendly match against LA Galaxy in the United States; was instantly substituted.
• Made his international debut against Ivory Coast in August 2010. Was spotted using his iPad on the Italy bench in a game against the Faroe Islands.
• Was summoned in September 2011 to give evidence in a high-profile Mafia court case in Italy.

And finally, there was this:

Super Mario is becoming an ever-more important member of Manchester City’s squad, and his talent in undeniable. On the international scene, he seems to be in Cesare Prandelli’s preferences currently, and is set to star for Italy at Euro 2012 this summer. However, most football fans are captivated by the Italian’s unorthodox behaviour away from the game, with the above list set to grow in years to come.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, also known as the baby-faced assassin, is one of the ultimate legends in Manchester United folklore. He was snapped up from Molde in 1996, the club he now manages, for a bargain basement purchase of just £1.5 million. This signing, alongside those of Eric Cantona, Nicholas Anelka and Patrick Vieira in the 1990’s for the top two in Manchester United and Arsenal showed a rejuvenation of the bargain buy in the football game.

The Norwegian striker was made available at a snip for £1.2 million but with Ferguson willing to pay an extra £300,000 allowed him discovery of one of the best European frontmen in the 1990’s. It was his form for Norwegian side Molde, 31 goals in 38 matches, which warranted the lightweight sum for the transfer fee and ultimate praise for the legendary Manchester United manager.

Being the only acquisition up front with the failure to sign Alan Shearer who signed for Newcastle United for a world record fee, he wasn’t expected to make as much starts as the preferred choices in Eric Cantona and Andy Cole.

However, anything but second rate could be used to label the Norwegian hitman as he scored just a few minutes into his debut when he came off the bench against Blackburn. The super-sub label would grow on him as his eleven year Manchester United career progressed.

Solskjaer was integral to United’s second successive English Premier League title in 1997 with eighteen league goals in his opening season. United wouldn’t win the league title the following season and with Ferguson wanting bigger and better things from his side, he opted to sign Patrick Kluivert as he accepted a bid from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 1998 for Ole.

Looking back, Sir Alex will be relieved that the Norwegian talisman rejected the contract offer from Spurs as Kluivert failed to sign for United. At first, this wouldn’t look to be a great regret as United managed to sign former Villa striker, Dwight Yorke.

This meant that Solskjaer would keep his ‘super-sub’ moniker as Yorke struck up an unimaginable partnership with Cole in October 1998, the two went some way to clinching the three trophies they netted in the historic season.

Two of his greatest feats were achieved in the opening half of 1999 as United stormed to a historic Treble winning season, in turn knighting Alex Ferguson and steeping Solskjaer in his legendary status in the Red Devils’ hearts.

Ole netted the last gap winner over Bayern in the Champions League 1999 final

The most memorable moment that will keep in Manchester United supporter’s minds the longest will be his stretched close range finish in the dying embers in the Nou Camp. Of course, this goal clinched Manchester United their second Champions League as they turned over the 1-0 deficit in a matter of moments in second half stoppage time, Solskjaer getting the winner.

Munich, who led the match through a free kick in the opening 10 minutes threatened a hammering of United by hitting the woodwork several times. With United missing Paul Scholes and captain Roy Keane through suspension and previous heroes Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were exchanged for Teddy Sheringham and Ole who were brought on.

Many wondered what Ferguson was racking through his mind and following a German barrage for nearly 90 minutes. Ryan Giggs’ attempted shot was converted by Sheringham, shortly followed by the latter’s glanced header which found Ole in the box. The Norwegian never misses from there as he toe prodded the ball into the top corner – elation in Manchester.

The most sensational turn-a-round and on the biggest stage of all, the UEFA Champions League final. No author could’ve pulled together the components in his mind to create that 1999 final, it was the mentality that United lived off for the season and ensured the Treble could come true.

Solskjaer got one of those crucial late winners in the FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Liverpool. The home side battered their Scouse counterparts in the second half as Solskjaer’s strike aided United into the fifth round and the rest, they say, is well and truly history.

His other big achievement was at the City Ground on a cold February afternoon in the Premier League. Leading 4-1 and approaching the final ten minutes against relegation doomed Nottingham Forest, Ole didn’t even look as though he was coming off the bench. However, when the full time whistle went a mere ten minutes after the Norwegian came off the bench he had miraculously netted four times in ten minutes as United humiliated Forest 8-1, getting the hat-trick that both Yorke and Cole were searching for.

With his opening couple of seasons being his true opportunity to strike, he forced Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole out of the squad with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s signing in 2001. He was omitted from the squad once the 1999 legends in Yorke and Cole had departed Old Trafford before he succumb to a career threatening knee injury which saw his return in January 2006 to the first team after over a year-long absense.

The legendary Norwegian striker’s injury rather hampered the remainder of his career although he rekindled some of his old form early on in the 2006/07 season with goals against Celtic, Newcastle, Wigan and Reading. The end to the striker’s career was finally announced in September 2007 when he retired from the troubled knee injury. He completed 366 games and scoring 126 times for the Red Devils.

Even at international level, Solskjaer netted an incredible 23 times in 67 appearances for Norway before he coached the Manchester United reserves and striking set-up before moving onto Norwegian club, Molde in late 2010 after his retirement. Due to his brilliant career, he was even offered the Norway international role before turning it down to join Molde.

He then, of course, went onto coach Molde, turning their mediocrity of last season to a title winning campaign in the top flight of Norwegian football as they pipped Tromso and Rosenborg to the league title with a 2-2 draw against Stromsgodset a couple of weeks ago, clinching their first league title in 100 years.

Solskjaer’s new path in his career sees more promise than ever as he has been touted for the Leicester City role despite his former United boss, Ferguson advising him not to rush into English management. A piece of advice I am certain that Solskjaer will appreciate and listen to.

Read more from Jake Doyle at his personal blog, The Twelfth Man.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Halloween may have come and gone, but Wigan Athletic’s form remains scary. After the Latics’ 3-1 away loss to fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers, the losing streak has stretched to eight Premier League games. With a potentially brutal Christmas period (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United), Wigan will certainly be hoping for early gifts against Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland this November.

Roberto Martinez’s men didn’t fail to perform against Wolves. As a matter of fact, they produced some gilt-edged opportunities. However, the inability to convert them was nothing short of embarrassing. Enter Mr. Hugo Rodallega. Continuously, and somewhat inexplicably, linked with a move to Arsenal, the Colombian fluffed two great chances. The first chance resulted in a rather languid strike straight at Wolves ‘keeper Wayne Hennessey. However, it was Rodallega’s second miss that had Wigan fans resembling The Scream. After perfecting ball control, Rodallega only had the goalkeeper to beat. Nevertheless, he also succeeded in beating the post. Quite rightly, Roberto Martinez was left to rue his side’s missed chances.

It is widely perceived, when a team is withering in the dark depths of the Premier League standings, fortune is not in favour. Having said that, it took Wolves little time to punish Rodallega’s inaccuracy. A combination of Hennessey’s big boot and Kevin Doyle’s dexterous wing-play concluded in an emphatic finish from Jamie O’Hara. Most certainly, a what-could-have-been story if only Rodallega had scored 30-40 seconds before Wigan conceded.

Credit must be given where credit is due. Wigan Athletic earned it, rallying after going a goal behind. Stephen Hunt illegally halted a buccaneering run from Emmerson Boyce, which, consequently, resulted in a penalty being awarded to the Latics. Nevertheless, Ben Watson wasn’t one to ease the Wigan fans’ blood pressure. It was rather more to relief than joy that the midfielder was able to dispatch an easy rebound after his initial poor penalty was saved. Half-time and the teams could not be separated.

By full-time, Wolves were the victors. Wigan produced as many chances as their relegation-battling counterparts, but too many efforts were spurned. David Edwards and Stephen Ward took the plaudits and, more importantly, gave Wolves an unassailable 3-1 lead. A fantastic win for Wolves and Mick McCarthy, especially after some recent public unrest.

Clearly, Wigan’s problems don’t all lie in attack. So far this season, the Latics’ defence has looked susceptible to any threat posed. Arguably, Wigan succumbed to three soft goals. Yet, without the brilliance of Ali Al-Habsi, Wolves may have scored more. Shockingly, it may have been a scoreline, which Wigan Warriors fans are more familiar with.

Unfortunately, another defeat comes with a question mark over Roberto Martinez’s head. The manager has shown loyalty to Wigan, but, obviously, there is no room for sentiment. A string of successive losses has left some Wigan fans joking about relegation already. Nervous laughter ensues.

You can follow the author on Twitter: OliverRhodes1

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Manchester City continued their illustrious and table topping start to the English Premier League season with a 3-2 away win at Loftus Road against newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.

In truth, the scoreline flattered the travelling Manchester club as QPR fought tooth and nail with City and nearly upset a top four side for their second consecutive home match when they defeated Chelsea.

City would keep their five point lead at the top of the table thanks to their rivals’ home victory against Sunderland earlier in the afternoon which marked Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25th year as manager of Manchester United.

It was, in fact, the London side who started off the brightest as Loftus Road and were rewarded with Jay Bothroyd’s header in the first half. QPR were soon threatening to double their lead, rather amazingly, against the league leaders as Joe Hart was forced into a miraculous double save – mirroring that of Kieren Westwood’s at Old Trafford earlier in the afternoon.

QPR could’ve been out of touching distance as another Jay Bothroyd header was inches away as his effort clipped the outside of the post. Such is the luck of the top clubs, City’s form would be repaid with a leveller close to half time with Edin Dzeko’s individual effort saw him cut in from the touchline. The Bosnian would then deliver a heartbreaking finish against a frustrated QPR support who believed they should’ve led going into the half time break.

If anything, the latter stages of the first half could’ve turned the favour of Manchester City as Sergio Aguero went close in stoppage time, clipping the post from a well struck volley from the edge of the area.

Neil Warnock must have said something major as his side needed a response and that is what they got. Their pressure in the opening embers of the second half forced a good save from Joe Hart, saving from ex-City midfielder Joey Barton. All their pressing was to be undone from a wayward Armand Traore cross which triggered a quick breakaway, resulting in the in-form Premier League player at the moment – David Silva rifling in a close range effort from Edin Dzeko’s cross, scorer turning provider.

David Silva was a surprise omission from the Ballon D’or shortlist this week despite Luis Suarez being made a candidate although their similar birth into English football. Silva’s teammate, Sergio Aguero joined Manchester United counterparts Nani and Wayne Rooney as well as eight Barcelona players on the 23-man shortlist for the prize.

Silva’s early second half goal almost threatened to bring out City’s real form on the Loftus Road pitch. This new found form in the match sparked efforts from Dzeko and Aguero, both of which narrowly missed.

This didn’t deter QPR from pulling another fightback from their sleeves.

Armand Traore provided a cross which, unfortunately for the visitors, was pinged onto Jay Bothroyd’s head and subsequently struck the back of Heidar Helguson. This deflection changed the flight of the ball, putting Joe Hart off, and in the process nestling in the back of the net.

Although most of the City defence appealed for offside, the television cameras proved otherwise – the goal was perfectly legal and with twenty minutes of the game remaining, QPR had drawn level.

This false claim brought the best of City out of their shell for the final period. Aleksandar Kolarov’s beautiful cross into a towering Yaya Toure just five minutes after the home side’s equaliser got City back into the lead.

QPR were not done yet and the thriller in Hammersmith wasn’t done yet. Heidar Helguson’s last ditch effort nearly brought about a sixth goal and a leveller for the White City club, his inventive header rattling the outside of the post, agonisingly rebounding out of play.

Neil Warnock believes that City were lucky and the points could’ve gone either way in a very even and entertaining match. Warnock discussed plans to add to their squad in January as “they looked a bit light, with only 5 or 6 fit substitutes today” with their already brilliant signings by the ex-Blades boss, QPR could find themselves more in the hunt for a top half place rather than a relegation battle.

After today’s performance they definitely deserve to be a Premier League club next season.

The 3-2 win at Loftus Road ensured City become the fifth top flight club to come out of the first eleven games with ten wins and a draw to their name. Only on two occasions have the bearer of that opening record have spurned the Premier League, City don’t look, on form, to be doing such a disastrous thing as that.

With the poor form of Chelsea and Manchester United in the top four, it will be hard to see past Man City after October has brought out a contrast from which the earlier months had promised.

Read More from Jake Doyle at his personal football blog, The Twelfth Man.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

With Luka Modric not taking part tonight in Tottenham’s Europa League playoff tie against Hearts, speculation of a big-money move to Chelsea is still alive and kicking. But will it come to fruition, or will Tottenham be able to keep Modric in North London? In today’s roundup of transfer rumors, we’ve got the latest on that, along with news on a signing or three, and the latest on Joey Barton’s future.

Modric Saga Nearing Its End?

So, what’s the latest on Luka?

After telling Chelsea to stop pursuing a deal for Modric, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is now in discussions with Modric and his representatives in an attempt to iron out his future, according to Sky Sports.

But will he be successful on both of those fronts? I don’t think we’ll definitively find out until deadline day has come and gone, but Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas doesn’t appear to have shut the door on a move for Modric just yet, judging by his comments earlier today.

There’s still a fair chance we see his name on the Premier League transfer list come the end of the night on the 31st, but it won’t be for a lack of trying on Spurs’ part, that’s for sure.

Spurs Sign Adebayor

Making quality additions to the squad can’t hurt Tottenham’s case when it comes to trying to keep Modric at White Hart Lane for a little while longer, and they’ve made the first of what could be a few with the loan signing of striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City.

Considering where Adebayor plied his trade before his move to City and how much success he had against Spurs when he was there, I don’t doubt there are at least a few diehard Spurs supporters who won’t care for the signing. However, his time at Arsenal and the eight goals he scored against his new team while at Arsenal should be water under the bridge, as Adebayor has the ability, track record, and experience to be an instant hit.

Adebayor isn’t the only loan signing Spurs finalized today, as they also snagged young Spanish attacking midfielder Iago Falque from Juventus. The 21-year-old came up through Barcelona’s vaunted academy before moving to Juve in the summer of 2008, and he starred for Villarreal B in Spain’s Segunda Division last season, scoring 11 goals in 36 appearances. He hasn’t been able to make the breakthrough at Juve yet, but he’s not short on potential, so he could prove to be another excellent addition.

QPR Wait On Barton Decision

It’s decision time for controversy magnet Joey Barton, as he’s currently in London deciding on whether to move to QPR on a free transfer or see out the final year of his contract at Newcastle.

Barton has been in talks with QPR and has already passed a medical, but the 28-year-old midfielder is still up in the air about his future.

It’s understandable that Barton wants to take the time to fully think over the decision. He loves Newcastle (and that love is reciprocal, minus a certain important few) and may still feel that he has a debt to a club that gave him a chance after his litany of mistakes at Manchester City, and to pen a multi-year deal with a club who could well immediately end up back in the Championship might be less appealing than playing his heart out in his final season at Newcastle and then moving to an established Premier League club for free next summer…or waiting it out to see if he’s offered an extension that the club doesn’t look keen on offering. But with that last point in mind and some of the circumstances contributing to the unlikelihood of a new deal at Newcastle, perhaps it’s time for another fresh start.

Aquilani Moves To Milan

We may have seen the last of Alberto Aquilani at Liverpool, as the oft-injured midfielder is set to move to AC Milan on a season-long loan deal. According to reports, the deal includes a clause that will make Aquilani’s signing a permanent one if he makes 25 appearances for the reigning Serie A champions.

With what Liverpool invested in him two summers ago, it’s a shame that we likely won’t see it work out, especially since Aquilani is coming into this season with good momentum after having made it through last season’s loan stay at Juventus without being dogged by the same injuries that have been a regular fixture of his career.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Many fans argue that Aquilani has not got the passion for the club and wants to leave. Here is the answer to everyone.

To question his real passion for Liverpool after what he has been through would be a serious injustice. While he often talked about his desire of scoring in front of the Kop; Aquilani’s actions would speak louder than any words when he struck a brilliant goal from Benayoun’s ball versus Atletico Madrid in Europa League semis in 2010.

Momentarily stunned after his tie-leveling strike, he stumbled and looked back at Gerrard before tearing to the corner flag screaming his lungs out with the ecstatic Stevie G rushing to embrace him. The tears of joy that fell from Aquilani’s face as his team-mates celebrated with him will surely be remembered by the Kop. Such uncontrolled happiness is not borne of mere monetary hunger.

Returning to Liverpool this summer after a year during which his continuous refrain was that he would be happy to return to Anfield once his loan spell with Juventus completed, Aquilani has had to come face-to-face with the new owner of his jersey, Raul Meireles. For any footballer, losing a jersey number is a massive slap on his face.

Witnessing new signings Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam being praised by club management and mind says that a manager always prefers his own signings. Both signings assigned squad numbers while Aquilani got whichever spare jersey is available can’t be pleasant for the man who swallowed his pride and publicly stated that he returned to Anfield “with great enthusiasm“.

Add hostile fans calling the “disloyal foreigner” to be shipped out into the picture, and you understand the difficulty he finds himself in.

The club’s pre-season form has been shaky, but the one constant has been the sheer class of Aquilani. The Little Prince adds so many arrows to the Liverpool quiver, and has arguably been the best player in every match thus far. Against Valarenga his value was confirmed when he instigated a comeback and saved Liverpool and brought KING some serious blushes. He was given mere 10 minutes on the field and still was the Man of the Match on the day.

Still Kennly Dalgish did not even mention his contribution at all. When he pulled the strings against Guangdong and the Malaysia XI, Dalglish and Steve Clarke instead singled out Charlie Adam for praise, who had reasonable games on both occasions, but came nowhere near matching Aquilani’s brilliance on the field. Again against Valarenga, not even a match-saving cameo can provoke appreciate public pat on the back from his boss.

If ever there was a blueprint to making a player feel completely unwelcome, Liverpool’s treatment of Aquilani would be it.

Kenny is a fantastic manager and a person but his snubbing of Aquilani is baffling. The Liverpool supporters are hungry to win after disappointing campaigns and Aquilani is believed to be a brilliant asset for the reds.

I am desperate for Aquilani to stay and so are many other fans. I hope he plays against Sunderland and shows his class. I want the fans to not just support him online but those living in Liverpool should come out for him. He wants to represent his nation at the Euros, I will not blame him if he wants to leave as after such shabby treatment no one gets very excited knowing he is unwanted. I have poured my heart out and now just hoping perhaps against hope that Aquilani will be a “red” next season.

Aquilani

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The theory is very simple, “you do not concede, you do not lose”. Under Rafael Benitez, the team had a very solid defensive record but in the last two seasons that has completely changed. The main problem behind Liverpool’s downfall has been their defense. Yes, Defense and not Attack.

Attacking and Defensive Record:

2005-2006

• Goals Scored: 57
• Goals Conceded: 25
• Clean Sheets: 22
• League Position: 3^rd

2006-2007

• Goals Scored: 57
• Goals Conceded: 27
• Clean Sheets: 20
• League Position: 3^rd

2007-2008

• Goals Scored: 67
• Goals Conceded: 28
• Clean Sheets: 18
• League Position: 4^th

2008-2009

• Goals Scored: 77
• Goals Conceded: 27
• Clean Sheets: 20
• League Position: 2^nd

2009-2010

• Goals Scored: 61
• Goals Conceded: 35
• Clean Sheets: 17
• League Position: 7^th

2010-2011

• Goals Scored: 59
• Goals Conceded: 44
• Clean Sheets: 14
• League Position: 6^th

The stats show that the difference in goal scoring has not been much and Liverpool have been able to finish in the top 4 positions by scoring less goals than last two seasons as well. The fact is that it is the drastic change in the defensive record that has halted the progress of Liverpool and is the main cause why a club who’s supposed to fight for the title have been struggling to attain 4^th place. Now what were the defensive problems in the last 2 campaigns and what needs to be done?

Center Back:

Firstly, releasing the legend Sami Hyppia and not finding any experience replacement instead relying on Skrtel and Agger. Daniel Agger, considered a very good defender but has been fighting against injuries instead of strikers therefore have not made any strong impact recently. Carragher has been the leader but in his absence Skrtel has not been able to deal with the attacking threats being not as equipped as the veteran defender. Kyrgiakos, he is just backup defender, he does well in the air but makes mistakes in the defensive third not able to stop quality oppositions. Awarded the captaincy recently in a friendly against Galatasaray and perhaps was the flop of the match on the day. Liverpool need to sign a reliable and consistent center back as in case of Carragher’s injury, the central defense is very weak.

Right Back:

Alvaro Arbeloa was strong and very consistent in defense, however his replacement expensive Glen Johnson has normally been good attacking. Johnson needs to improve his defensive abilities as he has been exposed a number of times in the past two seasons. Martin Kelly has been the finding of the season and if he maintains his fitness then he can be really fruitful for the club. Johnson has been decent at left back but I would prefer to use him as a right winger unless he improves himself in the defensive department.

Left Back:

Paul Konchesky has been sold for good as he was even worse than Andrea Dossena. Insua is a good left back but still needs to learn and can be used as a substitute. The left back problem still needs to be solved after the departure of John Arne Riise in 2009.

Liverpool have let 12 goals in 4 friendly matches in pre-season. This shows that without their first team defense lineup, the defending is bizarre and the depth is worse. A number of defenders have been linked with the club. In your opinion, which defensive positions Liverpool need to strengthen and who are the players they must sign?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Hulk, Joao Moutinho, Rolando, James Rodríguez and Helton helped their club reveal their 2011/2012 kits at The Yeatman Hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.

The Nike manufactured kits are all made from recycled plastic bottles. On the recommendation of the players, the shirts are collar-less.

Moutinho spoke to the press at the launching ceremony and said:

“The new kits are great, even because they’re environmentally friendly. I hope they’ll bring us good luck and victories, like last year.

We are trying to incorporate the coach’s ideas with utmost rigor. He has his own ideas and believes he can further improve the team. The new teammates are both great people and players and I’m certain they’ll help FC Porto.

We always aim to win all the competitions in which we play. We will give our all on the pitch to prove that we are the best.”

Porto striker Hulk also talked to the press:

“All the kits are very good, very light, both the playing and the training gear. Personally, I’m eager to play and take to the field!

We have to remain level-headed and humble. We’re working well, we’re concentrated and we’ll be focusing on our objective: winning titles.

Coach Vítor Pereira helped us a lot last year and we will be doing our best to help him as well, to win the title once more. The best part of FC Porto is the locker room: those that have been around for a longer period help the others fit in quickly.

I have five more years on my contract and will be pleased to fulfill them.”

Porto 11/12 Kits:

The highlight change in the home kit is the fact that the shirt’s central stripe is blue again.

The away kit is dark blue and has purple and blue details across the chest reminiscent of the 2003/04 season.

The inscription “Winning since 1893″ can be seen inside all of the shirts.

Image 1 of 5

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Alberto Aquilani, the man they call “The Little Prince”, someone who was perhaps thought to be the golden boy of Italian football now finds himself in a complex situation. He wanted to stay in his homeland but no Italian club including Juventus where he played last season on loan were willing to sign him, so he is back at Liverpool FC where the midfield is already very congested. Now the argument is that whether Liverpool should keep him or not.

Why Keep Him:

• Everyone would agree that Aquilani was not given a fair chance to show his talent for Liverpool. He had an injury disappointing season but even in the limited amount of matches he showed his quality. Now when he was fit for the start of new season, Manager Roy Hodgson loaned him out. Many people may argue that he wanted to go back to Italy but the decision is always in Manager’s hand. Remember in 2006 when Crespo wanted to stay with Milan but Mourinho called him back and he played for Chelsea. Well Roy Hodgson was a specialist in making blunders.
• Aquilani had a solid year on loan with Juventus. He had his injury days behind him as he played 33 games for Juventus and also got his confidence back as well. Aquilani scored 2 goals and provided 5 assists only one less than the top assist provider for Juventus in 2010-2011 i.e. Milos Krasic. Aquilani made the highest number of passes for Juventus (1655) with pass completion percentage of 83%. He was more of an attacking midfielder but improved his all-round game as he was praised for his defensive efforts as well.
• Aquilani is a gifted talent. He would perfectly fit in the “pass and move” system of Kenny Dalglish as he is cool on the ball. Very creative and his final passes are brilliant that combined with the menacing movement of Suarez can prove out to be wonderful for Liverpool. Moreover he has the ability of striking long range goals.
• Sunderland have been recently linked but selling Aqua to any premier league club would be a massive mistake as he just might prove all the doubters wrong.

Why Sell Him:

• The tempo of Italian league is completely different from English football. Moreover the English league will perhaps be the toughest one this time around and even if Aquilani had a wonderful season at Juventus still that does not guarantee that he would be equally hit in the premier league with Liverpool.
• Liverpool already have so many starting lineup candidates in the center of the midfield. Lucas was their star player last season, Meireles settled well in Liverpool under Dalglish, moreover with the addition of newcomers like Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson, Aquilani might be considered as surplus to the requirements or perhaps will be provided with a substitute role that too rarely.
• Although he was not given time to prove himself at Anfield, still he was not able to settle in England as well. Only he knows whether he is homesick still Aquilani always showed desire to stay in his homeland.

Should Liverpool sell or keep Alberto Aquilani?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Having reinforced Manchester United’s defense by signing two U21 players, defender Phil Jones and Keeper David De Gea as a replacement of retired Edvin Van der Sar. Moreover having increased the depth at wide position by adding quality winger Ashley Young, Sir Alex Ferguson has yet to decide on perhaps the most important signing of summer for the club that is finding a replacement for Paul Scholes. Over the years United’s center midfield has been influenced by Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, two of the best center midfielders of premier league era. However since Keane’s departure in 2005, Scholes mastered the midfield. Now that he has retired, United need someone with quality and creativity to replace him. Surely with all clubs strengthening their squads, they cannot just rely on Carrick and Anderson.

Luka Modric:

Modric does not score many goals nor provide many assists as well. If you analyze his stats in the premier league, you’ll know that in the past two seasons he only provided 5 assists and scored only 4 goals last year where as Alberto Aquilani with his injury disappointed season in 2010 provided one less i.e. 4 assists for Liverpool and scored 2 goals. Then why is his price tag so high. Modric is often the one who provides the pass before the ASSIST pass that leads to goal or the one who initiates the move that leads to goal. Keeping Individual efforts aside, he is integral part of almost every attacking move for Tottenham. His creativity in the middle of the park is a major threat and rarely will you see him losing the ball cheaply as he completed 85 percent of passes last year.

Obstacle: £50m price tag, Interested in joining Chelsea

Bastian Schweinsteiger:

Not many people believed that Bastian Schweinsteiger would be able to fill the boots of Michael Ballack who had been number one in Germany and leading their midfield since 2002. However he proved everyone wrong by not only being a success at club Bayern Munich, but also when got the responsibility of leading the young midfield in the absence of injured captain Ballack during the World Cup 2010, he lead by example. Brilliant vision, holds and distributes well and capable of striking long range goals. The task of filling Scholes boots if not bigger then is as big as replacing Ballack.

Obstacle: Might look for a move abroad but insists he is happy at Munich.

Samir Nasri:

Manchester United has made their interest very clear in Samir Nasri, over the few weeks reports have been suggesting that Nasri is not happy with his situation at the club. He wants his salary to be equal to that of club captain Fabregas i.e. £110,000 a week and in my opinion rightly so as Nasri was their player of the season and is as important to the side as Fabregas. If Cesc is sold to Barcelona then he might get his wish fulfilled or perhaps not but only time will tell. Nasri is mostly utilized at wide positions for Arsenal; however he is a natural attacking midfielder who is always changing positions from wide to center so as to provide the best. Media suggests that United are about to launch £20m bid for him.

Obstacle: Rivalry with Arsenal, Man City are interested, can bid higher and offer more wages

Wesley Sneijder:

Although his last season was not as shining as 2009/2010 still Wesley Sneijder is currently one of best midfielders. He was the heart of the side that lifted the Champions League providing 6 assists and scoring 3 goals in 11 appearances for which he was awarded as the best club midfielder by UEFA. Not only that, he was the joint top scorer in the World Cup 2010, scoring 5 goals leading Netherlands to the final. Sublime passer and striker of the ball plus a dead ball specialist and can score long range free kicks that have been missing since Cristiano Ronaldo left. Alex Ferguson is an admirer of the Dutch talent who has got it all to replace Scholes.

Obstacle: 40m price tag, Happy at Inter Milan.

Which player in your opinion should replace Scholes at United?

Also Read: Liverpool Angle – Crowded Center Midfield – Wingers Required

From Soccerlens.com - Football News