David Beckham returns from injury

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Joe

David Beckham has targeted an earlier-than-expected return to action with the Los Angeles Galaxy on September 11.

The England midfielder, 35, has not played a competitive game since tearing his left achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan in March, an injury which ended his hopes of playing for England in a fourth World Cup.

He has undergone a gruelling rehabilitation programme and has now targeted some involvement in the Galaxy’s home Major League Soccer clash with the Columbus Crew a week tomorrow.

Early return: Beckham expects to be back in action three weeks sooner than expected

Beckham said: ‘The doctors’ original (return) date was October 1, but I always kind of said I want to be ready before then.

‘I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hopefully will play in part of the game here against Columbus. I’ll be on the bench, and hopefully I’ll get on the field for 15-20 minutes. That’s what I’m looking at.’

Beckham, who returned to training with his Galaxy team-mates on August 11, insisted retirement was never on his mind at any point from the moment the injury occurred.

Enlarge David BeckhamEnlarge David Beckham Beck on his feet: After tearing his achilles while playing for AC Milan (L) Beckham has now made a swift recovery

He said: When you first have an injury like this and realise how serious an injury it is, you worry that you’re not going to get back to playing top-flight soccer. But that probably was in my head for only about 10 seconds.’

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Andrey Arshavin claims he’s lost his spark at Arsenal

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Joe

Kept quiet: Arshavin admits he can’t remember the last time he scored a ‘beautiful goal’ for Arsenal

Andrey Arshavin admits he has lost the sparkle that made Arsenal splash out �15million to sign him from Zenit St Petersburg 19 months ago.

The Russia star initially dazzled in England, hitting his peak with four goals against Liverpool at Anfield, but his form last season was sporadic and punctuated by injuries.

Despite scoring twice in three games for the Gunners this season, he has still been uninspiring and admits his game has changed since moving to the Barclays Premier League.

‘The year and a half in England has significantly changed me,’ he told Russian newspaper Sport-Express. ‘I became calmer, more professional and spend more time with my family.’

‘As for football I can say that my style has also altered – it is more effective but less sparkling. I don’t remember when was the last time I score a really beautiful goal.

‘It’s frustrating. I tried to analyse this, but can find no answers. It is likely that my injuries last year had an affect, because on three occasions I was out for a month, but it is feeble to talk about injuries.’

Despite the lack of form, Arshavin was somehow judged the best player of Russia or former Soviet countries for August, collecting the prestigious Zvezda award voted for by journalists.

‘I am very much surprised,’ he admitted. ‘If I became No 1 last month that means there were no other significant events. Of course I scored two goals in the three starting matches but that is not enough to win a month’s award.’

Andrey ArshavinAttack: Andrei Kanchelskis says Arshavin (above) is overrated and inconsistent

It is certainly a view likely to be shared by one man who took England by storm: Andrei Kanchelskis.

The former Manchester United and Everton winger has launched a scathing assessment of his 29-year-old compatriot.

‘To start with, Arshavin seldom plays for 90 minutes and is usually substituted in the second half,’ said Kanchelskis. ‘When he plays each match from start to finish, then we will see.

‘In the first match (of the season) against Liverpool, you didn’t see him in the box. A week later Blackpool conceded six goals, Arshavin took a penalty and scored. But you need to understand the level of the opponent.

‘And then Blackburn, who he scored the winning goal against, are far from a top club.

‘In my opinion, Arshavin is overrated. He has been praised too much. He hasn’t shown brilliance for a very long time. The main thing is consistency, which Arshavin doesn’t have.’

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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez tells wantaway winger Charles N’Zogbia to fight for his place

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Joe

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has warned winger Charles N’Zogbia he has to prove himself to his team-mates after almost leaving last week.

The Frenchman was on the verge of a �9million move to Birmingham after the Latics agreed a fee but the deal collapsed when the 24-year-old altered his demands.

N’Zogbia was left out of the side which beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday and even reportedly tried to resurrect a deal with Blues on transfer deadline day.

Martinez admits the player has plenty of work to do to get back into favour at the DW Stadium.

Enlarge Enlarge Charles N'Zogbia Pull your socks up: After his move to Birmingham fell through boss Roberto Martinez has N’Zogbia to fight for his place at Latics

‘He is an important player for Wigan. Now it is a matter of him showing the players how focused and dedicated he is to help the team achieve things,’ said the Wigan boss.

‘Charles has been through a turbulent period but he wanted to stay at Wigan so his frame of mind is the right one.

‘Now he has to show how ready he is on the training ground to see if he can be prepared to help the team get a result.

‘You need to prove yourself, show how much you care about the team and the club before yourself and if you do that your talent will speak.

‘When you have talented players like Charles N’Zogbia you want them in the football club and now it is down to him to show how much he wants to play for us.’

Martinez alluded to the effect the actions of N’Zogbia – he handed in a transfer request on the eve of the season – have had within the squad.

‘What you get with that sort of result (at Tottenham) is that we have real competition for places and that is quite clear,” added the Spaniard.

‘There is a real team spirit in the dressing room. We have eight new players and lost 10 so you can understand the dressing room loses certain rules and certain responsibilities and it is very easy to have individuals playing as a team.

‘To have that feeling as a group of players fighting for each other and understanding what the next move is in relation to my team-mate that is how you become a team.’

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William Gallas takes number 13 shirt at Tottenham

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Joe

Tottenham’s William Gallas has continuedwhere he left off at Chelsea – by taking the No 13 shirt.

Unlucky for many but not, it would seem, forGallas who cherishes the number as it was hispostcode when he lived in Marseille.

Gallas was stripped of the number back in2006 by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho after he failed to turn up for a pre-season training camp in Los Angeles.

Unlucky for some: Gallas has taken his ‘lucky’ number 13 shirt with Spurs – just as he did at Chelsea

New signing Michael Ballack was handed the number and Gallas was shipped out to Arsenal the following month in the deal which saw Ashley Cole move to Stamford Bridge.

And he will now wear No 13 when he turns out in the lilywhite ofthe Chelsea’s north London rivals.

Tottenham have also announced which numberstheir three other summer signings will wear for the rest of the season.

Off you go: Gallas sees red for ChelseaOff you go: Gallas sees red for Chelsea

Dutch international midfielder Van der Vaart,has been given the No 11 shirt after his (very) late transfer deadline daymove from Real Madrid.

Fresh from winning the Copa Libertadores, Brazilianinternational midfielder Sandro will wear the No 30 shirt and Croatiangoalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa who arrived on a season-long loan from Spartak Moscow willwear the No 37 jersey.

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Tottenham’s Rafael van der Vaart longs for return to Real Madrid in the Champions League

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Joe

Rafael Van der Vaart has said an emotional farewell to Real Madrid – but Tottenham’s new signing is dreaming of a return to the Bernabeu in the latter stages of the Champions League.

His old No 23 shirt has been out-selling almost all other replica Madrid tops since his departure and supporters have questioned the club’s wisdom in letting one of their most consistent performers leave.

Goodbye: Van der Vaart (No 23) was a popular figure at Real Madrid

Rafael van der Vaart Holland duty: Van der Vaart

‘It’s a shame that some Madrid fans were sad that I was sold but I’m sure we will see each other again soon,’ said Spurs’ £8million deadline-day signing. ‘It would be a dream to go back to the Bernabeu with Tottenham. I would feel at home.’

‘It was sad for me to leave. I have a lot of good friends in the dressing room. The fans have always treated me well and I have a great opinion of (manager Jose) Mourinho. He has won everything.’

The coach Van der Vaart refers to as ‘the best in the world’ was also reluctant to see the Holland international leave and supporters have laid the blame for his sale at the door of sporting director Jorge Valdano.

Asked about the man who oversaw his departure Van der Vaart said: ‘I don’t want to speak badly about anybody, I have too much respect for the club.’

Van der Vaart was brought to Madrid by previous sporting director Predrag Mijatovic under then president Ramon Calderon’s tenure. The new regime tried to sell him last season but he stayed so that his wife could continue treatment for cancer in Madrid.

Rafael van der VaartMr Popular: Bernabeu fans admired Van der Vaart’s consistency

Rafael van der Vaart with his wife SylvieBetter half: Rafael with his wife Sylvie

‘Thank God my wife is now perfectly OK,’ he told Marca. ‘She had a very serious illness and it is true that she had to be treated at the Clinica Quiron.Last season they wanted me to leave but I couldn’t leave for that reason.

‘Now she is well and the only thing that happened was that Madrid wanted to sell and I wanted to get back to enjoying playing football, and Tottenham are a great team that are going to give me the football opportunities that I need.’

Van der Vaart revealed that despite interest from Germany only Atletico Madrid pushed to sign him, and he preferred a move to the Premier League.

‘The offer from Bayern never ended up being concrete,’ he said. ‘In the end, only Atletico Madrid pushed but neither I nor the club (Real Madrid) wanted me to go there.

‘Tottenham are an important club. They are in the Champions League and they have built a competitive squad.

‘It is a new challenge and I can’t wait to get started on a new challenge that I have always fancied – competing in the Premier League.’

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