With Remembrance Sunday having just occurred a few days ago, we reflect on the men who gave their lives to their countries as well as giving their all on the football pitch. Their bravery on the field of play has been superseded by their courage and character on the field of battle even though some of them had little to no military education.

Here we commemorate and honour football’s top 20 war heroes in this list:

1. Bert Trautmann

The list starts with a goalkeeper as this shot-stopper enjoyed a very interesting career in England, particularly since he was WW II German soldier and he played there immediately after the Second World War. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1941 and he quickly gained promotion, firstly as corporal and then as sergeant of his unit. He earned 5 army badges for his superb work to the Germanic cause. However he was imprisoned by the British for his role against them in the war and he most of his sentence in Cheshire.

On his release, he farmed and played football part-time before eventually turning professional with St. Helens for a season. He then transferred to Manchester City in 1949, where he got a very mixed welcome  due to his role in the war. However 15 years later after leaving the Citizens, he etched his name into their history books as one of their finest ‘keepers ever.

He won both the FA Cup and FWA for Player of the year in 1956 on his way to making more than 500 appearances for the Manchester club. He also enjoyed spells in charge of Stockport County, Liberia and Pakistan before retiring from all footballing activities in 1983.

2. Alexander “Sandy” Turnbull

This Scottish striker etched his name into the hearts of the fans of both Manchester clubs in the early 20th century with his goalscoring skill. Having netted 143 goals in 230 Football League appearances, he had a sensational goal to game ratio.

Having won the FA Cup with Manchester City, he crossed the metropolis to join arch-rivals Manchester United where he enjoyed a golden period of success winning two First Division titles, but notably scoring the winner in the 1909 FA Cup final. However his career was cut short by the First World War as his last game came against Sheffield Wednesday in 1915.

He was also later found guilty of match-fixing and received a life-long football ban before joining the armed forces. Having risen to the ranks of Lance Sergeant in the Eight Battalion of the East Surrey regiment in the British Amry, he was killed on 3rd May 1917 in a battle in Arras, France. He was 32 but as a result of his heroic effort overseas, his ban was rescinded in 1919 after the war ended.

3. Eddie Latheron

Affectionately nicknamed ”Pinkie” on the terraces due his red hair and pale complexion, Latheron is remembered as a legend to Blackburn Rovers and a martyr for his country. The inside forward scored 94 goals in 258 appearances for his hometown club and it was this, coupled with his unselfish play that made him a firm fan favourite among the Lancashire faithful. The one-club man helped the Rovers conquer England twice during the 1911-12 and 1913-14 seasons as those First Division titles are his only silverware.

However the outbreak of the war in 1914 compelled him to enlist and within a week after his final game for Blackburn, he was a gunner on the front for the Royal Field Artillery. At 29 years of age, he was killed on 14th October 1917 at the Battle of Passenchendaele. Such is his legendary status, a group of Belgian Blackburn Rovers fans commemorated the striker on the 90th anniversary of his death at his grave located nears Ypres.

4. Vivian Woodward

Woodward was the Lionel Messi of his day when organised soccer began to gain prominence in Britain. Spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea proved fruitful as he yielded 93 goals in 238 appearances. Having also appeared for the English nation side, it was his participation with the Great Britain team in the 1908 and 1912 which garnered him great fame. He captained the team to the gold medal on each occasion.

Woodward enlisted in the army and missed a huge portion of Chelsea’s 1914-15 season. However he was given special leave to attend his team’s FA Cup final but unfortunately Sheffield United beat the Pensioners 3-0 on the day. Having returned to the front for a second spell, his leg was badly injured by a stray grenade in 1916 and thus had to return home for the final time, with his footballing careers also in tatters. Despite being maimed, Vivian lived on until he was 74 years of age in 1954 and he will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of the beautiful game.

5. Walter Tull

Tull was the inaugural man who broke so much new ground up until his premature death in 1918 at the age of 29. The second ever mixed-heritage football player to ply his trade professionally in the English First Division, after signing with Tottenham Hotspur. However he has a short and unhappy time there as racial abuse seriously affected him and thus he moved to Northampton Town for a ”substantial fee.” In 3 years, he accumulated 110 games with the Cobblers, scoring 9 goals in that time-span.

When war broke out in 1914, he was the first Northampton player to enlist in the armed forces. Despite even more racial problems in the British army, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, the first mixed-race men to do so. Having heroically fought through the Battle of the Somme, he met his end on 25th March 1918. He was gunned down in the Pas-de-Calais but his body was never recovered from that gruesome scene. Tull was recognised for his outstanding efforts to his country as he was posthumously awarded the military cross for his bravery on the front.

6. Fritz Walter

For anyone who thinks football’s a waste of time, tell them it saved this man’s life. Walter was enjoying a brilliant career with Kaiserslautern in the Bundesliga before having been conscripted to join the Nazi forces in 1942, where the forward was to fight for Germany.

However near the end of the war, he ended up being a POW after being captured by Hungarian soldiers. He wowed the guards with his exceptional skill but the time then came for him to be moved to another camp in the Soviet Union, where life expectancy was just 5 years and the guards would be more brutal.

However a football-loving Hungarian guard intervened at the last second and saved his life by aiding him in getting him out of the transfer to the Union and thus being fortuitously released from prison.

On his return to football, he restarted his career with Kaiserslautern and he retired from them in 1959 having scored a mind-boggling 380 goals in 411 appearances. Walter also won the German championship twice with his hometown club.  He also captained West Germany to their first World Cup victory in 1954, ironically over Hungary, the same nation where the guards came from who let him free.

7. Harry Goslin

A folklore legend for Bolton Wanderers, Goslin was also a sensational patriot to his country when he gave his life to the Allies during the Second World War. On turning professional in 1930, he joined the northern club for just £25 and he enjoyed nine years with the club scoring 23 goals in 306 appearances despite playing as a defender all his life. Before war broke out in 1939, he announced Bolton’s entire team would be joining the army.

When it did, Goslin led his team-mates in the fight against the Germans and their allies.  Within three years, his leadership qualities on the pitch transferred onto the battle field as he became sergeant in 1942. He also played a pivotal role in the withdrawal of troops from Dunkirk in that same year. However while traversing through Italy, he was seriously wounded by a mortar explosion under a tree. He bravely battled to live on four days after suffering the injury but lost his life on 18th December 1943.

8. Fred Griffiths

This Welsh goalkeeper enjoyed a long and varied career having been on the books of 12 clubs as well as earning 2 caps for his country. Having the honour of playing for big London clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, he was renowned for being a reliable man to have between the sticks but unfortunately this never translated into any major trophies.

After his retirement, he spent his time training local teams near his home in Presteigne, Wales. And despite being one year above the conscription age, (41 was the conscription age at the time) he felt compelled to fight for his country’s future when he enlisted with the British army in 1915.

He became sergeant within his rank, the 15th Battalion of Sherwood Foresters, before dying at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 at the age of 44.

9. Lev Yashin

Widely regarded as the best goalkeeper all-time, Yashin made his name Dynamo Moscow and the old Soviet Union during a trophy-laden 20 year career with each team. At just 12 years of age, in 1941, he began helping the Soviet Union in the only way he could in the war effort. Too young to fight on the front, the teenager went to work in the factories manufacturing arms, vehicle parts and more.

Yashin was finally able to begin his professional footballing career as a 21-year-old with Dynamo Msocow in 1950. With them he won the Soviet Top League 5 times and the Soviet Cup 3 times. He also helped him national team to continental glory by winning the 1964 European Championship with them as well capturing gold at the Olympics.

He made 324 appearances at club level, 78 at international level and was known as the ”Black Spider” around the world due to his amazing ability to save virtually goal-bound shots. His death came prematurely in 1990 when during relatively simple surgery on his knee went wrong and he passed away due to complications.

10. Ferenc Puskas

The Real Madrid and Hungary legend was remembered as a goalscoring phenomenon during his footballing career. However due to Hungarian law, he was conscripted to join their army and although never participating in infantry work, he rose through the ranks to become major. It was a combination of his rank and his footballing prowess while playing in the armed forces that earned him his lifelong nickname ”The Galloping Major.”

Puskas is revered around the world for scoring an incredible 157 goals in just 182 appearances for Los Blancos, where he additionally won 4 Pichichi awards during his Spanish stay. And he also netted 84 strikes in 85 games for the Hungarian national team in a truly remarkable playing career.

Having taken various coaching positions ranging from North America, Asia, Europe and even Australia, he briefly coached his nation during a four game spell. Puskas died on 17th November 2006 at the age of 79.

11. Ted Drake

The diminutive English striker’s playing career began with Southampton but blossomed with Arsenal during his 14 years in football. Scoring a handsome sum of 47 goals in 71 games for the Saints, he captured the eye of the Londoners, who signed the forward in 1934. He scored 124 goals in 167 games while at Highbury, with his finest game coming against Aston Villa. Drake netted 7 times in that single match, which is a record that still stands today in England’s top flight.

As well as winning two First Division titles with the north London side, he added a FA Cup medal to his collection. After periods in management at the helm of Hendon and Reading, he took charge of Chelsea Football club and guided them to their first ever championship in 1956. The end of his time at Arsenal was severely disrupted due to his participation with the Royal Air Force which restricted him to a handful of games during the war years. His playing career was prematurely ended in 1945 due to a spinal injury.

12. Stan Mortenson

Although this particular striker managed to only garner one trophy in his 21 year career, he was the man who led his country during a very difficult post-war era as well as being ridiculously lucky to have been able to play the game once you learn his story. Before he became the prolific striker that he is famous for, he began his wartime efforts in 1939 as a wireless operator.

Mortenson was involved in a disastrous air crash that same year when every single passenger onboard was killed except Stan. However even despite the injuries he sustained, he managed to carve himself a career out of professional football in the post-war era. Stints at Southport, Bath City and Lancaster City followed a golden spell that he enjoyed with Blackpool.

He scored 197 goals in 317 games for the side in a 14 year period (the first four of those being slightly disrupted by war commitments.) He also netted a remarkable 23 goals in 25 appearance for England as he helped put a smile back on his nation’s face after a long, depressing war.

13. Willie Thornton

Considered to be one of the greatest Scottish players of all time, Thornton was a prolific striker for Rangers during his 18 year career at the club, which book-ended his involvement in World War II. Debuting for the Glaswegian giants in 1936 at just 16 years of age, the striker enjoyed adulation from fans for his lethal touch in front of goal.  However his fledgling career was brought to a temporary end in 1939 due to outbreak of the war.

He joined the Scottish Horse regiment and as a result of his “acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire,” he was awarded a Military Medal for helping to defeat Germany on the battlefield. By the time of his retirement in 1954, he was well-known throughout Britain and he finished his career with 138 goals in a mere 219 appearances. He then became a manager of Dundee United and Partick Thistle for 5 and 9 years respectively where he had modest success.

14. Wilf Mannion

”The Golden Boy” as he was known as in his native Middlesbrough due to his streak of blond hair, endured a mixed time on Teeside but nothing negative can be said about his commitment to the British cause during the Second World War.  The inside forward played more than 350 times for Boro, scoring 99 times in his long career there but went on strike and retired in a bid to finally leave the club.

Although the reasons for his discontent are unknown, his dedication while playing was second to none, as he was with England, netting 11 times in his 26 appearances for his nation. He joined the war effort in 1940 and he was a key solider in the Siege of Sicily that occurred in 1943. Shortly after that he was allowed to return home and continue his footballing career. After the war, he joined Hull City and Cambridge United and perhaps his finest moment was being a member of the English squad for the 1950 World Cup in a career particularly special due to it’s amazing 24 year longevity.

15. Frank Buckley

Buckley took a more unusual route as he created a unique career in the game. Having joined the army as a teenager, he left by the time he was 20 in order to forge a football life for himself. He played for Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa before the outbreak of World War I. He was commander of the Football Battalion for a large of the war and thanks to his previous stint in the armed forces, he rose through the ranks rapidly and eventually became a major.

However he was badly injured in the Battle of the Somme and returned to restart his football career. With the war finished, he managed many football clubs including Leeds United where he introduced the legendary Jack Charlton to his first taste of professional action. Overall, he spent nearly 50 years in his long and distinguished life in football.

16. William Angus

The word hero was conjured up exactly for this incredible man. With his footballing career cut short due to the declaration of war in Europe in 1914, Angus wasted no time in signing up and he was immediately mobilised out to the action. Before his war efforts, he played once for Celtic but left them for lack of first team opportunities. He was the captain Wilshaw Thistle when war was announced and within weeks, he had joined the 8th Royal Scots regiment.

His finest hour came a year after joining when he saw a comrade lying in a trench within the range of their enemies. Angus fearlessly went to save his fellow soldier and received 40 wounds for his courageous act, losing his left eye and part of his foot being his most serious injuries. Two months later as he was recovering, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award possible for a British solider.

17. Bernard Vann

Another man who was equally brave in the face of danger, Vann was also a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Cross for his valiant accomplishments while defending his nation. His football career was all over by 1907 at the tender age of 20 but he made appearances for Burton United and Derby County in his brief time on the football field. He then ordained to become a minister from the famous-named Jesus College but his chaplaincy was cut short due to be called upon for the war effort.

Having become a Lieutenant General, he earned his Victoria Cross by leading his subordinate troops into the face of death as his leadership qualities shone through impeccably. Rushing up to the line of fire, he surprised several German soldiers and disarmed three of them as he led his regiment on a crucial advance on enemy territory. However Vann missed the end of the war by a mere 4 weeks as he was shot by a sniper rifle in France on 3rd October 1918.

18. Billy Gerrish

William ”Billy” Gerrish was yet another tragic story which began on the football field and ended when he was fighting the front. An extremely promising young striker for Aston Villa, he scored on his debut against Arsenal and added to that with an even more impressive achievement by claiming a hat-trick against Chelsea. In his first season with the club, he helped them to win the First Division.

However he failed to live up to his full potential when World War I broke out and he was to join the British army. Having enlisted in the Footballers Battaltion Middlesex regiment, he lasted less than two years abroad. He was killed on 8th August 1916. In all, there were 40 other Aston Villa players who died as a result of their participation in that war, one of the highest of all the clubs in Britain.

19. Charlie Buchan

This beanpole striker was another goalscoring phenomenon who had his magnificent career due to his country’s involvement in keeping the peace abroad. Despite missing a fair chunk of his 14 years on the books at Sunderland, he racked up an impressive 209 goals in 370 appearances with the Black Cats.

He enlisted in the war effort as soon as it began in 1914 and by the time of Britain’s victory in 1918, he had been promoted to second lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters regiment. He was also a recipient of the Military Medal. On his return to football, he rejoined Sunderland until 1925 when he transferred to Arsenal.

With them, he was equally prolific, scoring 49 times during the 102 games that he donned the famous red shirt. He wrote one of the first football manual’s, was a distinguished journalist and commentated on matches for the BBC for the remainder of his life up until his peaceful death in 1960.

20. Nikita Simonyan

This legendary Russian football man was too young to actively take part in World War II. However when the soldiers rolled into his town, he helped ease the pressure and stress of war life by organising football matches. The military personnel thoroughly enjoyed these breaks from the endless killings and Simonyan then realised football would become a focal point for the remainder of his life.

He has become one of the most successful Russian footballers of all-time by winning the golden boot in the Soviet Top League on three occasions.  He won the Soviet Top League seven times in total as a player and manager of clubs as well as on the victorious side of the Soviet Cup six times. His career reached its pinnacle when he was part of the Soviet Union team which won the 1956 Olympic gold medal in football. And just earlier this year, his efforts of nullifying tension between Russians and Armenians were rewarded by the President of Armenia during a ceremony.

You can contribute to this list in the comments below or by emailing us. If you like this list, you will find more football lists here.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The relegation battle in the Premiership has become increasingly intense. As the season progresses and Manchester United seemingly stumbling towards the title pursued by an equally reeling competition, the bottom of the table proves now to be the more intriguing are of the English top flight. This season sees the most intense dogfight to avoid the drop for many years.

It seems no-one in the bottom half of the table is immune, let alone safe. Before the weekend’s win against a Wigan outfit seeminly every bit mid-table Championship calibre, Sunderland had dropped like an action-movie elevator from potential European combatant to also-ran. Blackpool‘s astonishing start to the season came undone at exactly the same time as Charlie Adam’s Liverpool move was rejected. West Ham remain as consistent as the March weather. On the other hand, Wolves have proved the most plucky of all the teams in the relegation zone yet still prop up the table, hit hard by injury to target-man Kevin Doyle.

What confuses this situation more than in years past is that there are no “certainties” for the drop. Last year Portsmouth failed to break twenty points (thanks among other things to a nine-point deduction for going into administration) and in 2008, Derby County broke Sunderland’s record from 2006 for the fewest points in a season. This year, no such luck: the bottom nine clubs sit within one “six-pointer” of the drop zone.

When comparing this season to the previous decade, the only real precedents for such a tight battle was in 2003, 2007 and 2008, where – aside from the three in the relegation zone – five other clubs finished within six points of the drop. In all cases, however, one club was cut adrift much earlier in the season: in 2003 it was Sunderland, 2007 Watford and 2008 the hapless Derby County. Generally (60% over the last ten years), one club is mathematically relegated much sooner in the season than their compatriots. With only four (or five) matches remaining in this EPL season, there is no such bunny.

As always, the complicating factor in the relegation battle is Goal Difference. Goal difference has been known to be crucial – just ask Fulham fans, who in 2008 saw their club survive thanks only to a GD 3 superior to that of relegated Reading’s. Interestingly, while it’s mentioned often and loudly, that’s one of only two times since the turn of the twenty-first century that a club has avoided relegation by virtue of goal difference. The other was the year before, when a David Unsworth penalty against his former club Sheffield United lifted the Latics out of the drop zone at the expense of the Blades.

Another trend over the decade has been that as more teams are involved in a relegation battle, a greater impact is seen in goal difference over the course of a season. For example, in the years where eight clubs each year finished the season within six points of relegation (2003, 2007 and 2008) – or one crucial win against a fellow straggler – the average goal difference of any threatened clubs was much lower. The same is true in 2011, where nine clubs are still classified “in danger”.

Excepting Derby County in 2008 (who finished the season with 11 points and an all time goal difference record of -69), it’s easy to see that the average Goal Difference of relegation-threatened clubs decreases as the number of clubs increases.

Derby County are excluded because they are a statistical outlier – their season-long goal difference of -69 a whole 57% worse than any club’s during the past seven years – the next worst club in Goal Difference was 2003′s Sunderland squad, with -44. Since they lost almost every game (season record 1-8-29) we can assume everyone took points off them. This assumption may not necessarily be correct, but statistically speaking, it is safe.

As you can see, the tighter a relegation battle gets, the tighter clubs tend to become – with the possible exception of Ian Holloway’s Blackpool. If more club become involved in a relegation battle, it leads to lower average goal differences across those threatened teams. This season has produced another statistical anomaly which is interesting (but not very interesting) – Mark Hughes’ Fulham join Leeds United’s 2003 squad as the only “threatened” club in the last decade to boast a positive goal difference (+1).

It stands to reason that with an increased number of threatened clubs that average goal difference is reduced. If more clubs are involved in the Relegation battle, then that means for an even competition. An even competition means for even scores across a week-to-week basis and no matter if this Premier League has not been one of “vintage” calibre, it certainly has gone nearly unparalleled for intrigue and competition. In days past, the magic total of 40 points has been suggested to be a minimum safe distance. Only once has a club been relegated who had scored above forty points: West Ham, who were desperately unlucky to go down in 2003 with a record points tally.

Therefore, we can say safely with approximately 10% of the season still to play, the 2010-11 average Goal Difference figures are going to be amongst the lowest of the past ten years. If we extrapolate the figures as they stand now, it could mean an average goal difference as low as -16.85 for all threatened clubs over the course of the entire season. If we use Goal Difference as a marker of how intense a relegation battle is, then this relegation battle is statistically slightly (5%) more intense than than the previous most intense fight in 2008 involving Birmingham, Reading, Fulham and Bolton. Only this year, there’s no Derby County – there are no (relatively) easy points.

For more analysis and opinion, shoot across to Matthew Wood’s blog, Balanced Sports.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Player transfer fees and their larger than life wage bills are a common topic of discussion for a football fan of today. From Wayne Rooney threatening to quit to oil-rich owners going on shopping sprees, the footballers have now become spoilt and they now know that their high demands will be met at their current club or the next.

It is especially easy to get a huge wage offer for those who possess skill and/or experience. Yaya Toure moved from Spain to England with a wage demand that even England’s best Rooney was not getting at the time.

For the smaller clubs, it has become far more difficult to move into the top-flight and pose a threat to the top teams in their own country, let alone go on a Euro trip.

We have taken the liberty to skim out the football clubs out of the ESPN’s 200 best-paying teams in the world and present a list to you of 66 best-paying football teams in the world.

If you’re gifted with football, this is who will show you the money:

The Leagues and Countries: Bundesliga (Germany), EPL (English Premier League, England), La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy) & SPL (Scottish Premier League, Scotland).

Also see: Best Paid Footballers By Country

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Back in 2006 a guy named John Boileau made a courageous move and applied for a vacant job as Middlesbrough manager. You might remember that Boro were a Premier League club back then but you surely don’t know who John Boileau is, right? Well, this guy took Nuneaton Borough from Conference North to the Championship in eight seasons and also won the Swedish top flight with small club Kalmar FF but you surely didn’t read about those achievements in the papers because all that happened in the 2005 version of the popular computer simulation game called Football Manager.

John sent a letter and a CV to Middlesbrough Football Club chairman Steve Gibson and was honestly hoping to be invited for an interview. You can see his letter and CV in the pictures below.

Well, he didn’t get that interview but he did get a reply from Steve Gibson, a pretty humorous one:

This story is quite entertaining and I guess you can admire both John’s courage and Mr. Gibson’s sense of humor. Being a Football Manager fanatic myself and also being recognized as a pretty good virtual manager, I was encouraged by some of my friends to do what John Boileau did and apply for a real football manager job. I didn’t because I probably lack John’s courage but I did think about the possibility. Miles Jacobson, studio director at Sports Interactive, has recently revealed that there are some clubs that are using the Football Manager 2011 game as part of their scouting network (Everton confirmed that), and it’s no secret that most modern managers are using computer analysis to improve their teams’ performance on the pitch. So why shouldn’t a real football club consider such applications from Football Manager aces? Here’s a list of pros and cons.

Pros

1. A Football Manager player is more likely to think outside of the box than Roy Hodgson for example. I know several virtual managers with great analytic minds and loads of creativity and I guess I would hire one if I would own a club.

2. Most Football Manager players know a lot about football tactics, maybe as much as most real managers.

3. Football Manager players are avid football fans, they love this sport and their passion could be a great asset for any club that would take the leap and hire one.

Cons

1. Football Manager players might not know too much about the physical aspects of training, they might ruin the squad from that point of view and quite fast! This is the main reason that stopped me from applying for a real manager job, I don’t know anything about training and I guess I’m too old to start learning now.

2. The players might not respect the new manager, especially at a high-profile club. Would Drogba listen to me if I’d tell him to press more or come deep to link play? I seriously doubt it. Does he listen to Ancelotti? I don’t know, but he probably does.

3. A Football Manager ace might not be such a convincing person in real life. He is able to make top-notch tactics and analyze football in great depth but most of them might not really be able to motivate a team because that takes talent and charisma and some people just don’t have those.

The list of pros and cons could be expanded, of course, and I am looking forward to reading your suggestions in the comments. I don’t know if the pros outweigh the cons or if it’s the other way around but in my view a Football Manager fanatic should never be a solution for a top-flight club. However, I think that semi-professional clubs might want to look into that, their players don’t train too much anyway and a great tactical mind on the bench could make a difference now and again.

Do you think that you have what it takes to move from pixels to the pitch? Then you could start sharing your FM 2011 stories on my website, FootballManagerStory.com, and maybe give the interested clubs a better look inside your manager mind.

About The Author

Johnny Karp is the owner and founder of FootballManagerStory.com, a football manager fan blog that started in 2008 and grew to become one of the most popular blogs in its niche. The website has mostly Football Manager career stories but it also provides tactics, guides and downloads that can help people to enjoy the game even more. Johnny’s managerial feats include winning the Champions League with the Blyth Spartans, getting Dorchester Town to the Premier League and also dominating English football with Notts County. He is currently taking Vauxhall Motors FC all the way to the top.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

After Wayne Rooney reminded us all that he used to be a fairly decent professional footballer with his derby day belter against Manchester City last Saturday, the received (Sky Sports-infused) wisdom seems to be that the decidedly off-colour striker’s effort was, without need for second thought, the greatest overhead kick ever scored by anyone, anywhere, ever.

However, that’s not quite the case – as the following, ten-strong video essay will hopefully attest to.

Oh, and apologies for the slightly tongue-in-cheek strapline. I hope we can still be friends.

Let’s press on, shall we?

10. Dean Ashton – Man Utd vs WEST HAM, 2008:

Fergie was quick to peg Rooney’s flying shinner against bitter rivals City as the greatest goal that had ever graced Old Trafford, though former West Ham striker Ashton has grounds to take issue with that particular assessment…

9. Joseph Desire Job – MIDDLESBROUGH vs Sporting, 2005:

After joining on the back of a wave of promise, Job never really ‘clicked’ during his time at the Riverside. However, for one fleeting moment during Boro’s UEFA Cup second round defeat to Sporting Lisbon back in March 2005, the watching world witnesses just what the Cameroonian striker was capable of…

8. Manuel Negrete – UNAC vs Puebla, 1985:

Four wondrous touches; the initial chest control, the ‘sombrero’ (or the ‘chapeau’ for those of you with Gallic pretensions), a deft flick of the forehead and then BOOM!…

7. Trevor Sinclair – QPR vs Barnsley, 1997:

Sadly, it never got any better than this for our Trev, who quite rightly came away with Match of the Day’s goal of the season award in 1997 for this blistering bicycle kick against the Tykes in the FA Cup…

6. Eliran Atar – Maccabi Netania vs BNEI YAHUDA, 2009:

Israeli forward Atar made the 2009 Puskas Award shortlist (i.e. an award doled out to the scorer of the most ‘beautiful’ goal of the year) for this acrobatic strike, though somehow only managed to finish fourth in the final vote behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta and Grafite.

That said, the look of sheer, discombobulated amazement on the collective faces of everybody present (including Atar’s) serves to tell you more about this freakishly pure connection than I ever could…

5. Unknown – 5-a-side tournament, 2007:

This clip has become somewhat of a viral sensation since it was first posted on Youtube a few years ago, and it’s perfectly understandable as to why.

A goal of truly scintillating beauty, regardless of what level of the game it was scored at…

4. Rivaldo – BARCELONA vs Valencia, 2001:

Brazilian artisan Rivaldo (who, incidentally, has a few overhead corkers under his belt to pick from) finished the 2000/’01 campaign as La Liga’s second top goal-scorer (one goal behind Real Madrid striker Raul), thanks chiefly to the hat-trick he scored against Valencia on the last day of the season.

A momentous hat-trick which first and foremost secured Barca a spot in the following season’s Champions League and, secondly, just so happened to culminate in this little beauty…

3. Youri Djorkaeff – INTER MILAN vs Roma, 1997:

French playmaker Djorkaeff notched his fair share of cultured strikes during his 22-year career, but I’d wager that none come close to the angled, airborne Exocet that he unleashed against Roma during his maiden season with the Nerazzurri…

2. Mauro Bressan – Barcelona vs FIORENTINA, 1999:

In stark contrast to the scrappy build-up, La Viola midfielder Bressan pulls a career-defining, 25-yard pearler out of his ‘you know where’ to open the scoring in a pulsating Champions League game that eventually finished 3-3.

Several years later, ITV voted the Italian’s effort as the second greatest Champions League goal ever scored, nestled sweetly behind Zinedine Zidane’s iconic volley in the 2002 final…

1. Marco van Basten – AJAX vs Den Bosch, 1986:

The Dutch legend, seen here doing what he did better than almost anybody else to have ever played the game, i.e. score goals that seem to tamper with the laws of physics…

So there we go. Missed any blindingly obvious candidates? Please feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments box below…

More from the Soccerlens Archives:

10 Outrageous Disallowed Goals
10 Famous Debatable Goals

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

While Liverpool languish in the Premier League’s relegation zone, one division down the Championship has its own big hitter floundering in the bottom three. Scarlet stripped, based in a working class northern area and having travelled to finals in Europe this century, the similarities are far from limited.

However, where Liverpool have suffered strife at the hands of tyrannical owners, Middlesbrough’s decline has been of an entirely different means and whilst Roy Hodgson has vowed to fight to resurrect the Merseyside club, Gordon Strachan consigned his contract to the bin and exited stage left last Monday.

As a Norwich City fan, I was given the chance to witness the turmoil of managerless Middlesbrough first hand when they came to Carrow Road on Saturday, with Boro having the chance to scotch any potential calls for a crisis by putting forward a compelling argument on the pitch. However, the case for the defence was grim.

Norwich, riding high as they are, were hardly on sparkling form but nonetheless restricted a blunt Boro side to next to nothing in front of goal, their only real opportunity presented to Scott McDonald who slid his shot wide in injury-time. That miss condemned Boro to a 1-0 defeat and the ignominy of the relegation zone. All this despite being the Championship’s biggest summer spenders and having a chairman the envy of many a club. The halcyon days of the UEFA Cup final in 2006 seem light years away now. So just how has it gone so wrong for Boro?

Trace the steps back to the Gareth Southgate era. After a steady couple of seasons in management, Southgate staked his managerial name on the high-profile signings of Afonso Alves and Mido. The fact he now works as a pundit for ITV should tell you how that worked out. The £18m splashed on those two, plus the risk-laden purchases of Digard, Emnes and Hoyte paved the way for a group of largely unproven players at Premier League level.

Southgate was a nice enough chap for everyone to wish him success but there was a grim inevitability about Boro’s drop from the Premier League. The fraught tension of the home games of a team under pressure never seemed to be in attendance at the Riverside. The air of resignation over relegation that seemed to be upon fans and players long before they finally dropped meant that no-one was shock when their condemnation was confirmed. Even on the day itself, the club was overshadowed by Mike Ashley’s travelling circus up the road and Phil Brown’s woozy Brian Wilson impersonation.

One of the reasons for the general malaise of that season was that Southgate, despite poor results, was never under any threat of the sack. His legendarily patient chairman Steve Gibson was adamant his man be given time, which made it all the more surprising when Gibson brought out the guillotine – for the first time in nineteen years – to dispense with Southgate just thirteen games in to the new season, with his team fourth.

Boro needed a change, and in it came with the waspish, fast-quipping Strachan, bringing with him five Old Firm players in January and then two more in the summer, along with a number of other big name purchases. But if that was meant to be an advertisement as to the worth of Scottish football it went down like a lead balloon; Kevin Thomson is perpetually injured, Stephen McManus out of form and Kris Boyd on Saturday showed more resemblance to a Sunday league footballer nursing a hangover than some of the Middlesbrough strikers of old.

Strachan sharpened his blade and landed on it last week, since when Boro have lost twice more. And so again Boro look for change, this time looking perilously over their shoulders. Of course there’s no shortage of candidates these days for a team with money to spend. However, surely the post is one made in the mould of Tony Mowbray.

Local lad and appearance maker of over 300 games for the club, as well as being a man who is in need of a reputation revitalisation after his last decision to follow Strachan ended in disaster at Celtic, the chance to lift his struggling home town club is one Mowbray will surely not turn down.

The sadistic that revelled in the locals’ vexation on Question Time in Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday need not look too far to see the same sense of discontent at the style of play at the Riverside. Mowbray ought to help soothe this, and Middlesbrough’s weekend performance – all diligent passes and artistic midfield play – suggests they are a side that could benefit from Mowbray’s aesthetic approach, particularly if he can make Boyd and Leroy Lita the potent forces they once were. Then there’s the fact that he would take over an almost surrogate Scottish club, which with his extensive knowledge north of the border, would be no bad thing.

But the problem remains for the fans that they long to be in a position they so long took for granted; back under the blanket of top level mid-table security. Those who claim Boro, a side with only one major trophy to their name in their history, punched above their weight by being there in the first instance miss the point. In this age of Premier League indulgence, every year spent dining at the high table means greater wealth and greater expectations. Boro, with eleven years uninterrupted, are right to feel they should be there again.

That’s where Mowbray ought to come in, with one promotion from the Championship to his name already. It might take a while to set the wheels in motion but it’s the right job at the right time for the (potential) boss and the appointment to get the fans through the turnstiles.

And if he can force Kris Boyd past a stroll, it’ll be a good enough start.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The miracle of Turf Moor

It is hard to take positives from a game in which you throw away a 3-1 lead in the final ten minutes but Preston should be encouraged by the majority of their performance. Winger Keith Treacy was outstanding.

As for Burnley, they were limp, lacklustre and completely reliant on the brilliance of Chris Iwelumo. It remains to be seen whether Brian Laws can really do attacking football. Playing Chris Eagles and Jay Rodriguez from the start would be a good move.

Gordon Strachan has taken Middlesborough backwards

A year ago,  Gareth Southgate’s Middlesborough were in the Championship play-off places; today ‘s 3-0 defeat to QPR leaves them in 20th.  A few weeks ago, I questioned Strachan’s policy of buying SPL players to achieve Championship success. Maybe these players will come good eventually but I can’t help feeling that Strachan, good manager though he is, doesn’t quite know how to build a side for success at this level.

This was a good win for the Hoops but they still haven’t come had a real test yet; Tuesday night’s trip to Ipswich may be just that.

Forest and Leicester fail again

Why have two sides that made the play-offs last year started so poorly? I don’t think either set of  fans should panic. Both sides turned in improved performances today and I think it’s likely we’ll see them moving up the table in the coming weeks.

Life after Nigel

It looks like the 2-0 defeat at home to Bristol will be Nigel Adkins’ final game in charge of Scunthorpe. Will the excellent team spirit go with him? The Irons have a huge call to make when choosing his replacement.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

England

City To Miss Out On Dzeko?

Vfl Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko wants to move, and Manchester City (along with Juventus) have him as a top target. However, Wolfsburg, as was the case last summer, want to hold on to him, and with City not looking to stump up the £34m that Wolfsburg want for the Bosnian, they could be forced to look elsewhere. (The Mirror)

Analysis: You can’t fault the man for wanting to take a step up, and after dominating Bundesliga defenses over the last couple of seasons, he has certainly proved he’s deserving and ready. However, as was the case last summer, I’m leaning more towards Dzeko being right where he currently is when the transfer window closes as opposed to being at City or Juve.

Liverpool Backtrack On N’Gog Move

After it appeared that West Bromwich Albion were about to take Liverpool striker David N‘Gog on loan, it looks like Liverpool will be holding on to N‘Gog, at least until they can sign two new strikers. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Whether or not Fernando Torres leaves, there’s a fresh injury situation to worry about with him, which doesn’t bode well for this season after all of his niggles last season. And with Liverpool not having made much headway in the transfer market thus far, letting N’Gog go right now would be a bit premature. Besides, given how much he contributed last season, it wouldn’t hurt to keep him around instead of loaning him out at some point this season no matter what.

Hammers Up Remy Bid

West Ham have offered £12m for highly rated Nice striker Loic Remy. West Ham are looking to pay out the club record fee over four years, while Nice are looking for a £13m fee with £8m paid up front. (The Sun)

Analysis: Remy really wants to move to West Ham, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a compromise soon. For what it’s worth, though it wouldn’t be ideal for the Hammers given their budget, he’s certainly worth having to pay 8m up front.

Stoke Move For O’Neil

Stoke City are offering winger Liam Lawrence to Middlesbrough in exchange for midfielder Gary O’Neil. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Lawrence, who was a star of Stoke’s promotion campaign in the 2007/08 season, scoring 15 goals and assisting on 15 more, would certainly fit right in on the right flank that O’Neil currently occupies, but Boro have been pretty adamant about holding on to O’Neil over the last couple of summers, and I expect more of the same now, especially with Boro being well positioned make a return to the Premier League.

Newcastle In For Cristea

Newcastle are interested in Romanian striker Andrei Cristea. The 26-year-old scored 16 goals for Dinamo Bucharest last season, finishing atop the league‘s scoring charts. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Here’s of a video of all of Cristea’s 2009/10 goals. He’s certainly not lacking in the power department, but more importantly, he knows how to direct those howitzers as well. Newcastle aren’t short on scoring options, but he looks to be a quality addition if they can land him.

Blackpool Eye Bradley

Blackpool are interested in a move for American midfielder Michael Bradley. The 23-year-old has been a regular at Borussia Monchengladbach for two seasons but is looking for a fresh start. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: The Premier League has been to American players in recent years, and this would be a good move for him. He’s already gotten experience playing in a relegation battle with M’Gladbach, so he’d come in knowing what to expect. Now, if his father gets the Fulham job, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him become the latest American to join up there, but we’ll see how that shakes out.

Boro Close On Thomson

Middlesbrough have agreed a £2m fee with Rangers for midfielder Kevin Thomson. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: Another day, another former SPL player signs on at Middlesbrough? Seems to be that way! It’s fair to say though that Gordon Strachan is assembling a team capable of making a serious run at promotion this season. Thomson has had two serious knee injuries in his career, but if he’s fit, he stands to e a key player for Boro as they push for promotion.

Italy

Fiorentina Sign Boruc

Fiorentina have agreed a deal to sign keeper Artur Boruc from Celtic. A fee of £1.7m has been mentioned, allowing Celtic to cash in on a player who had only one year left on his contract. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: There has been talk of Boruc’s arrival opening the way for Frey to leave the club (with Arsenal mentioned as a destination), but we’ll see how that plays out. Frey is Fiorentina’s undisputed #1, and I don’t think Boruc’s arrival changes that, so if Boruc is to have significant time between the sticks with his new club, something would have to happen that takes Frey out of the equation.

Brazil

Ronaldinho Set For Flamengo

According to Brazilian news reports, Ronaldinho has given his word that he will join Flamengo from AC Milan, and all that‘s left is for AC Milan to give the deal the green light and release the former Barcelona star from his contract. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: This isn’t a move based on him being past it and needing to rediscover his form, as he’s coming off of his best season in a few years. But as it’s been for some of his compatriots, the move back home will be a good one for him, and when he comes back to Europe (I think he’ll return at some point), he’ll come back better for the move. It’ll also be an instant boost for Flamengo, who have had a slow start to the new season and need to step it up coming out of the World Cup break.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

England

Arsenal Offered Portuguese #1

Portuguese side Sporting Braga have approached Arsenal about signing keeper Eduardo. The 27-year-old, who had an impressive showing in Portugal‘s World Cup run, could be signed for £3.4m, which is his release clause. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: As the article says, there would be an odd man out if Mark Schwarzer also joins up at Arsenal, but it could be said that Eduardo fits the bill well as both a short and long-term solution. Eduardo might be short on overall experience, but he’s got a great future ahead, not to mention 10 years on Schwarzer. £3.4m for someone who could be a mainstay in goal for the next several seasons? That’s a bargain.

Sunderland Set For Upson Swoop

Sunderland are getting ready to make a £7m bid for West Ham center back Matthew Upson, according to the Sun.

Analysis: Sunderland bought two center backs last summer in Michael Turner and Matthew Kilgallon, and the end result was a defense that shipped in 37 goals away from home. Steve Bruce has already added Paraguayan center back Paulo da Silva this summer, so if he lands Upson as well, we should expect to see Sunderland much, much better at the back come this upcoming season.

Holloway’s High On Bournemouth’s Brett

Ian Holloway and Blackpool are set to make a £700k bid for highly-rated Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman. The 22-year-old was third on the League Two scoring charts last season with 26 goals, helping Bournemouth make a return to League One after two seasons in League Two. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: To say the least, it’s quite a step up from League Two to the Premier League, and counting on him to have a big impact immediately might be asking a bit much, but with an eye for goal like he has, the future’s certainly bright for him. With a tight transfer kitty, this is a smart signing for both the present and the future.

Boyd Signs On At Boro

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has signed on to join the ever-growing Scottish contingent at Middlesbrough. The prolific 26-year-old has penned a two-year deal to make the move to Teesside. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Well, Rangers and Celtic may never join the Premier League, but with a flock of former SPL players and a Scottish manager in Gordon Strachan, one could say Boro getting promoted would be about as close as it gets.

In all seriousness, Boyd’s signing significantly boosts Boro’s promotion hopes. Having someone who’s as deadly in front of goal as he is just what a side who didn’t have nearly enough of that last season needs.

Italy

Milan Deny Melo Swap Move

There had been talk of AC Milan looking to make a swap deal with Juventus that would see Felipe Melo move to Milan and striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar move to Turin, but AC Milan president Adriano Galliani has denied that such a move is in the works. (Transfer Market Web)

Analysis: Given that a first season at Juventus that had some bumps and his part in Brazil’s World Cup exit, right now is a hot time to link Melo with a move elsewhere. However, Juve invested a lot in him, and we’ve already seen what Luigi Delneri can do with someone like Antonio Cassano, so even if this is just the beginning of the speculation, I don‘t expect Melo to go anywhere this summer.

Germany

Hamburg Bag New Keeper

Hamburg SV have signed keeper Jaroslav Drobny on a free transfer. The veteran Czech keeper, who was previously also on the books at Fulham and Ipswich Town, was Hertha Berlin’s #1 for the last three seasons. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: Frank Rost has been a solid #1 for HSV, who have consistently been one of the better defensive teams in the Bundesliga in his three and a half seasons there, but he’s 37, so his time is short.

Whether or not Drobny’s coming in to push him for the #1 jersey right now or take it over in another season, keeper is one position where you are certainly better off having two experienced, quality players who are both capable of starting at any time.

Portugal

Portugal Land Moutinho

FC Porto have signed Sporting midfielder – and captain – Joao Moutinho. Along with €11m (£9.1m), Sporting receive defender Nuno Andre Coelho in exchange for the 23-year-old, who wasn‘t a part of Portugal‘s World Cup squad. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: Well, I think it goes without saying that he won’t receive a positive reception when he makes his return to the Estadio Jose Alvalade next season. As if the captain making a move to an archrival isn’t enough to make the blood boil, the manner in which things apparently went down also might not sit too well with many Sporting fans.

Turkey

Fener Fancy Klose

Fenerbahce are interested in Miroslav Klose, and a bid could soon be forthcoming for the Bayern Munich striker, who’s one goal away from tying Ronaldo for the most career World Cup goals. (Transfer Market Web)

Analysis: Perhaps Klose has enhanced his opportunities to be more of a presence in Louis van Gaal’s plans next season by having another fine World Cup (minus the sending off against Serbia), but as I’ve said before, the time is right to move abroad.

Is Fenerbahce that place? He’d likely have better options if he so chooses to leave, but for what it’s worth, they would able to offer a handsome salary and the chance to play in the Champions League.

Brazil

Deco Close To Fluminense Switch

Chelsea midfielder Deco could soon wrap up a return to his native Brazil, as Fluminense have revealed that the 32-year-old has already agreed a contract with the club. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Brazil has been a good landing point for the likes of Ronaldo, Robinho, and Adriano, who were all in need of a career rejuvenation when they returned home, and it could do the same for Deco. His time at Chelsea hasn’t gone nearly as well as might have been expected after a hot start at the club, but he’s still got plenty left in the tank.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

It’s a very important summer in Manchester, to say the least.

Manchester United are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of a run at a record-breaking 19th top flight title and a chance to play for a fourth Champions League title come next May at Wembley, and they’re no doubt also looking to the future as well.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are looking to spend, spend, spend in order to aid their push to become a serious contender for Premier League and European honors sooner rather than later.

Both sides don’t have a lot to show for when it comes to confirmed summer transfers just yet, but you can be assured that things are going to pick up for the Manchester rivals very, very soon, especially if a couple of tidbits in today’s rundown of top transfer rumors come to fruition.

England

Manchester Rivals In For Casillas

In an interview with the Daily Star, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas said that both Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in his services. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: He’s not going anywhere. Perhaps one day, but not right now. Though for what it’s worth, United fans who are also England supporters might well prefer him right now over Manuel Neuer, who likely doesn’t have many fans in England right about now.

Fabiano Has Eyes For United

Also from the Daily Star, Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano says that his next destination will either be Manchester United or AC Milan, and he spoke very glowingly of United, the Premier League, and the chance to be Wayne Rooney’s strike partner. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: The only negative mark on Fabiano is his age (he’ll be 30 in November), and that could give some pause, what with 29-year-old Berbatov and 30-year-old Owen already in United’s strikeforce. However, it’s also worth mentioning that Fabiano is very much in his prime right now form-wise, and even three or four seasons at the level he’s at currently would make him well worth the investment.

City Prepare New Kolarov Bid

Manchester City are set to make a bid of £18m for Lazio star Aleksandar Kolarov, though Lazio have a valuation of 25 million euros for the Serbian left back. (Transfer Market Web)

Analysis: Real Madrid have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign him, but there could be competition from Juventus and perhaps Inter. Whether Lazio will be able to squeeze their asking price out of someone remains to be seen, but whatever eight-figure amount he’s sold for, it’ll represent quite the return on Lazio’s investment – they purchased him for only £800k three summers ago.

Tottenham Close To Forlan Capture?

According to The Mirror, Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan is reportedly sweet on a switch to Tottenham, and Spurs could be set to splash out £20m on the former Manchester United man.

Analysis: Atletico want to hold on to both Forlan and Sergio Aguero, but frankly, there will never be a better time to sell Forlan and find a much younger replacement than this summer, especially if he raises his value even further with a few more impressive performances at the World Cup. Forlan is 31, and while he can still score that many goals, to get upwards of £20m for any 31-year-old is good business.

Arteta To Leave Everton

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has asked to leave the club and return to his native Spain, as he and his wife want to be closer to their families after receiving the news that their son has a visual impairment. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: It’s a shame, but you certainly can’t hold it against him, because family comes first.

Stoke Eye Bentley Swoop

Stoke City are planning to make a move for Tottenham winger David Bentley, according to The Mirror.

Analysis: Matthew Etherington has seen his career rejuvenated at Stoke City, and the same could happen for Bentley, who did produce in his limited opportunities last season but still hasn’t performed up to expectations in two seasons at the club.

With Etherington on the left and Bentley on the right (and those patented long Rory Delap throws, of course), Stoke could be a more dangerous attacking side than what we’ve seen in their first couple of Premier League seasons (38 goals in 2008/09, 34 last season)…if they can find a reliable finisher or two from somewhere.

Birmingham Turn To Wallace

After having their bid for Fulham’s Paul Konchesky rejected, Birmingham City are considering a move for Hearts left back Lee Wallace. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Wallace has been a fixture in Hearts’ starting XI over the last couple of seasons, and he’s been a part of the first team since he was 17, so he’s got loads of experience despite being only 22. He’s also broken into Scotland’s senior national side, so he’s got a very, very bright future ahead.

Spain

Maicon To Join Up With Mourinho In Madrid

According to The Sun, Real Madrid have beaten out Manchester City for Inter right back Maicon, who is set to seal a reunion with Jose Mourinho in a £25m deal that will be wrapped up when the Brazilian returns from the World Cup.

Analysis: Really, the only question for me all along has been when he’ll sign for Real, not if. So this is no surprise, even with City’s money, ambition, and the familiarity in the form of Roberto Mancini giving them reason to feel confident about somehow swaying him.

Italy

Juve Target N’Zogbia

Juventus are interested in Wigan midfielder Charles N‘Zogbia. The 24-year-old was one of the bright spots in a season of struggle for the Latics, scoring seven goals and assisting on seven more in 39 appearances. (Transfer Market Web)

Analysis: There’s a good chance an English suitor could pop up, but it’d take a lot to pass up the chance to play for one of the top clubs in the world, to play in the Champions League, and to earn a significant pay increase.

Scotland

Chase For Boyd Heats Up

Rangers striker Kris Boyd will become a free agent this week, and he doesn‘t have a shortage of suitors. Newcastle and Middlesbrough are both in the hunt for Boyd, according to the News of the World.

They could face competition from three Turkish sides, as Turkish champions Bursaspor, along with Kayserispor and Ankaragucu, are also interested in the 26-year-old.

Kayserispor, managed by former Rangers striker Shota Arveldaze, are hoping to have Boyd and his agent in for discussions this week, and they have reportedly offered Boyd a two-year deal worth £50k a week – but the offer is off the table if Boyd meets with any of his other Turkish suitors. (The Press Association)

Analysis: Such an offer would trump what anyone else would offer him, and given that it’s only a two-year deal, he’d be able to see it out and have a chance to play in England with several good years still ahead of him. However, Newcastle will be able to offer him a nice salary and the chance to play in the Premier League, and the combination of the two might make St. James’ Park the most attractive destination in the end.

Turkey

Piquionne Picks Fenerbahce

Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne, who starred on loan for Portsmouth last season, is set for a move to Fenerbahce. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: Dani Guiza hasn’t quite turned out to be the prolific striker that Fenerbahce fans likely thought they were getting when he was signed two summers ago after he finished top scorer in La Liga with 27 goals for Mallorca, and Semih Senturk scored only seven goals in all competitions after netting in double figures each of the previous four seasons. So there’s certainly a need to add some quality depth in attack, and after acquitting himself well in England, I’m sure Piquionne can be a great success in Turkey.

Galatasaray In Ledesma Negotiations

Galatasaray will hold talks with the agent of Lazio midfielder Cristian Ledesma on Tuesday. (Tribal Football)

Analysis: I see Ledesma likely remaining in Serie A, but Galatasaray can offer him a sizable salary, European football, and the chance to play under a top manager in Frank Rijkaard (provided he doesn’t leave sometime this summer), so he certainly can’t go wrong with a move to Turkey, even if the league is a step down from Serie A.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News