David Beckham remains Britain's richest footballer with three times the fortune of any other player.
This year's Rich List puts Becks' assets at £125million but second-placed Michael Owen, the Newcastle striker, has just £40million.
Young megabucks stars are Man Utd's Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo with £35million and £18million respectively.
Old Trafford team-mates Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs each have £30million assets.
Portsmouth's Sol Campbell has £33million while Robbie Fowler - now playing in Australia - has £31million.
At Chelsea, Frank Lampard has £20million, at least until he settles with ex-partner Elen Rives. England captain John Terry has £17million, Ashley Cole's £13million beats namesake Joe Cole's £12million, and other Chelsea stars Nicholas Anelka, Petr Cech and Michael Essien have £11million each At Liverpool, Steven Gerrard is worth £20million and Fernando Torres £9million.
Arsenal have Cesc Fabregas in the list with £7million. At rivals Spurs, Jonathan Woodgate has £8million.
England manager Fabio Capello is worth £30million but Newcastle's emergency boss, Alan Shearer, tops him at £32million.
As for club owners, steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has put part of his £10.8billion behind QPR and Chelsea's Roman Abramovich is still worth £7billion.
For Rooney, family matters most. He and pregnant wife Coleen were at Liverpool yesterday to see brother Graham play in the amateur All-England Sunday Cup Final.
Source
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
David Beckham still tops the league as football's biggest earner
Monday, April 27, 2009
Manchester United target the latest Brazilian teenage sensation
Manchester United target the latest Brazilian teenage sensation
By Sportsmail Reporter
Sir Alex Ferguson is poised to make a bid for a new Brazilian sensation - the latest to be labelled the new Ronaldinho.
The Sun reports that United have been monitoring Costa after reports from their South American scout, Jaap Stam.
This kiddo is interesting huh.
Source
Monday, April 20, 2009
Manchester United line up Kaka and Ribery to replace Real-bound Ronaldo
Manchester United are set to splash a world record £70million to bring AC Milan's Kaka to Old Trafford to replace the departing Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 24-year-old Portuguese will demand a move to Real Madrid in the summer, and the Brazilian superstar is being lined up by Sir Alex ferguson to replace the current world player of the year.
Flying north: Manchester United will tempt AC Milan with a £70million bid for Kaka
Also wanted is Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery, with Wigan winger Antonio Valencia completing a trio of summer signings, report the News of the World.
While Ronaldo's desire to join Real is one of the worst kept secrets in football, Kaka has recently rejected a deal with the Rossoneri.
With current boss Carlo Ancelotti expected to join Chelsea in the summer, the club lie third in Serie A, some 13 points off first-placed Inter Milan.
Sign up Wayne Rooney as a money-saving star
Sign up Wayne Rooney as a money-saving star
Every so often you read something in a bit of celebrity news that makes you smile and remember for all their millions of pounds, the famous are people too.Today's comes from a story about how Wayne Rooney has lost a £1m Mercedes contract that will see him have to forgo his free car.
There are all kinds of snippets in here that remind you that Rooney, despite his fame and fortune, appears to remain resolutely down-to-earth.
There's the bit that makes you imagine him grinning like a schoolboy on getting his motor: 'He was thrilled to be endorsing Mercedes because he is a total car fanatic and is a huge fan of Mercedes. He bought one for Coleen for her birthday. He loves them, so of course he's disappointed.'
Then there's the bit where some snob seems to forget that perhaps he might be a good ambassador because he's an exceptionally talented footballer not a bling encrusted clothes horse: 'Ordinarily you'd expect Mercedes to choose someone aspirational and classy to advertise its cars, and it's fair to say that Wayne Rooney doesn't fit into that category'.
But my favourite is actually nothing to do with the car. It's from an interview by his wife Coleen that's tagged on. She says: 'If I go shopping with Wayne I'll say, 'Look at that handbag! Isn't it lovely?" And he'll say, 'You don't need any more handbags'
So that's Wayne Rooney multi-millionaire footballer, set up financially for life before he was out of his teens, reminding his wife she doesn't need to buy something, as she doesn't need anymore handbags.
As the Government appears to be spending our cash on increasingly inexplicable public information campaigns at the moment, can we have another?
Let's find out if Wayne is serious about this money-saving thing and sign him up to remind kids that however rich you are, sometimes you don't need another handbag and if you aren't rich you also might want to lay off the mobile phones, trainers and flat screen TVs.
And while we're at it, give him a Jaguar to make up for losing that Mercedes.
Source
Friday, April 17, 2009
Liverpool FC can bridge the gap
Liverpool FC can bridge the gap
FERNANDO TORRES is convinced Liverpool can pull off a remarkable Champions League comeback tomorrow.
The Spaniard netted twice as the Anfield outfit responded to their shock defeat to Chelsea in midweek by thrashing Blackburn Rovers 4-0 at home on Saturday.
It kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United, who still lead Rafael Benitez’s side by a single point.
Liverpool step out at Stamford Bridge tomorrow aiming to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit and reach the European Cup semi-finals for the
fourth time in five seasons.
And Torres said: “We have kept our confidence after the Champions League game and it was important to win for the fans.
“It was an important victory because it was the last game at home before the Hillsborough memorial service and I think they enjoyed it.
“I hope that we can score three goals against Chelsea. We know it is a very difficult task.
“They are a strong team, but we have confidence we can do it and we have to go there to win the game. We beat Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford so we know we can do it.
“We know it is difficult and it is difficult to score against them, but we will prepare the game and see what happens. I think Chelsea will play for a win. If they score one or two it is over, so they will not just defend.”
Saturday’s brace of goals moved Torres to 11 goals in only 19 league appearances of a campaign that has been hampered by continual hamstring problems, a hangover of his efforts in helping his country win Euro 2008 last summer.
Torres is expected to endure another lengthy season with Spain taking part in the Fifa Confederations Cup in South Africa. The competition runs from June 14-28, with Vicente del Bosque’s side playing as many as five games in that period.
Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa and Albert Riera are also expected to figure, but it is Torres that will be the major concern to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
And the striker said: “It has been really frustrating to miss league games this season. Just 19 league games and 11 goals is a good record.
“We have to try and learn from this for next season and try and help me stay 100% fit for all the games.
“I have to play in the Confederations Cup in the summer because it is important for my country Spain after the European Championships.
“We are a good team and we have to try and win trophies and this is the next one. I know it might not be the best preparation for pre-season but that is our job.
“I will try and get enough rest. It is just four or five games. But we have to talk at Liverpool about the next pre-season, try and do the right things and not make the same mistakes that we did this season.”
Torres scored the opening two goals of Liverpool’s weekend win, with Daniel Agger and substitute David Ngog completing a comfortable win late on.
Torres’ first goal was a goal of the season contender, a dipping cross-volley reminiscent of Marco van Basten’s magnificent strike for Holland in the final of Euro 88.
“It was a good day for me,” said the Spaniard. “The first one was a great goal and a great start to the game. To then get three more goals was good for the team.
“I work hard on my heading so I was pleased with the second one. I am always pleased to score at Anfield and I almost had a hat-trick but the main thing was to win and stay fit for Tuesday which is a big game.
“I don’t know if the first one is the best I have scored. Maybe one of the best. I don’t think it was like van Basten. He was one of the best players in the history of the game.”
Steven Gerrard was an unused substitute as Benitez elected not to risk his skipper’s adductor problem.
And the manager said: “It was almost perfect, but it could have been better as we could have scored more goals. It was the perfect response after the result in the Champions League in midweek, so it was a very positive afternoon.
“United are under pressure, Ferguson is always talking about us now and that’s a positive as he wasn’t talking about us for the last few seasons.”
Asked if having a fully-fit Torres for more of the season would have seen Liverpool clear at the top by this stage, Benitez said: “Yes, could be. We have had some games this season that ended in draws that, had Fernando been playing, it could have made a massive difference.
“If you have Torres and Gerrard fit, then you know the team is much better.”
Source
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Galaxy needs new plan of attack
That it has to do something has been made painfully obvious by the team's lack of success on the field and at the gate in the first couple of weeks of the new Major League Soccer season.
In each case, the figure seemed inflated. There were only 281 in the house half an hour before Tuesday's kickoff.
Last season, with Beckham in tow, Los Angeles averaged 26,009, and whether that was inflated or not, it was still tops in MLS.
Clearly, it is more than just the economy.
Could it be that Beckham is missed -- at the gate if not on the field?
Since the English midfielder has made clear his intention to return to AC Milan after his July-November cameo appearance with the Galaxy this year, it is not too soon for team owner AEG and Coach Bruce Arena to begin planning for 2010.
This week, the hot rumor was that former Italian international Christian Vieri would soon be winging his way to California. Not so, said the Galaxy, emphatically denying a rumor that started in Italy.
Vieri is 35 and would have fit in with Arena's over-30 gang, which now numbers nine with the arrival last week of 35-year-old defender Gregg Berhalter. But Vieri, a free-agent former Inter Milan player with no fewer than 14 clubs on his resume, is six years past his prime and would not have created any buzz in Los Angeles.
There are a couple of Brazilians who could do so and one American who could help the Galaxy on the field, but whether AEG and Arena opt to go after, say, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho or DaMarcus Beasley is, for the moment, only a matter of speculation.
Ronaldo, 32, is playing and scoring goals again, this time for Corinthians in Brazil, but while Beckham's former Real Madrid teammate and friend would no doubt jump at a fat contract dangled in front of him by the Galaxy, he is less likely to do so if Beckham departs as planned.
It also remains to be seen whether Ronaldo can regain the form that made him a World Cup winner in 2002 and the tournament's all-time top goal scorer in 2006.
Ronaldinho, 29, would have a tremendous impact on and off the field and is one player who could instantly raise the profile of MLS. But Beckham's AC Milan teammate is focused on playing in next year's World Cup in South Africa and will not leave Italy before then.
Beasley, meanwhile, is not getting much playing time at Glasgow Rangers and has talked about trying his luck in Spain. Earlier this year, the German club Schalke 04 expressed interest in him, and chances are the U.S. player would prefer to stay in Europe.
But the opportunity to link up again with close friend Landon Donovan could tempt Beasley to California and the Galaxy. The two have a very good on-field understanding, and Arena would be in favor if the price were right.
The trouble is, Beasley, 26, would not create the noise that the Galaxy needs to get the fans back. He won't sell the jerseys or get the turnstiles clicking and, for AEG, that takes precedence over everything.
Meanwhile, if Coach Carlo Ancelotti leaves AC Milan for Chelsea this summer, as reports in Italy and England suggested Thursday, then Beckham and Ronaldinho might have to rethink their own futures and all bets are off.
SOURCE
Monday, April 13, 2009
CL quarter finals, day 2
What is it, the 6th time on the trot, this fixture? But whatever it is, you also know it means pace, passion and goals! And what a great first half it was. High paced passing football, tough challenges, and did I mention pace? Torres scored the 1-0 after a nice backheel flick from Kuyt and a Abelardo cross in. Unmarked, Torres said muchos gracias in the 6th minute. It appeared The Reds would have a field day, but quickly in the match Liverpool started to make mistakes. Bad passing and simply losing the ball. Gerrard never got in the game, Xavi Hernandez had many stray passes and Kuyt and Torres were continuously closed down. Chelsea position-played themselves slowly but surely into the game. Lampard at the Blues’ side didn’t play great either but Ballack stepped up to the plate and Kalou and Drogba were constant threats. It would take two corner kicks to get Chelsea back in the game. Hiddink couldn’t play Bosingoa at right center back and started with Serbian Ivanovich. The defender started very well - I’m not even sure Riera played for ‘Pool - and the debutant scored the 1-1 with the head in the first half.
In the second half, Chelsea started to string more good passes together and the Liverpool back four - in particular Skertl, Abelardo and Aurelio started to lose it. Ivanovich scored his second header to take the lead and Drogba finished a cool and snappy attack led by Ballack to score his first and Chelsea’s third: 1-3.
A great aggregate score for Lucky Gus, who will need to finish the job next week at Stamford Bridge.
Dirk had a good start this game, but slowly disappeared. Babel got on the pitch in the last 10 minutes and lost possession a lot, but obviously, Liverpool was in a hurry and precision and aesthetics didn’t matter anymore.
The main course of the day: Barca - Bayern. I personally figured Bayern would be able to hurt Barcelona. Yeah, right! They did score a record 12-1 aggregate in the last round against Sporting, and the Germans are known to be able to disrupt anything. How wrong I was…
In the first 12 minutes it was 2-0 already. Some Bayern players hadn’t even touched the ball. And it became a super exhibition of modern football. Four forwards, four midfielders and four defenders…hang on… That’s 12 fieldplayers… Well, that’s what you get with Daniel Alves in your team. Messi can move centrally, Alves takes over. Toure plays destroyer as if Barca has both De Jong and Van Bommel in midfield and Sneijder/Van der Vaart…oops… I mean Iniesta/Xavi can have a ball making the play. It’s hard not to compare this Barca with the potential of Oranje.
During the first half, we saw some close-ups of the distraught Bayern players and Mark van Bommel can expect a call by Quentin Tarantino for his next movie…
Will Barca thunder forward in the second half? And another question: who will stop this team?
What a tremendous whoopin’ for Klinsmanns’ boys. Their defense looked like a Jupiler league team and Toni wouldn’t even be able to outrun my grandma. And she’s dead! I think Klinsi didn’t put the right team on. Barca is on form, Bayern isn’t. Don’t play a static striker with two wide players (Ribery, Pigclimber) but do it the traditional Bayern way. 5 Defenders, four midfielders and one quick runner up front a la Rummenigge. Anyway, who cares :-)?
Barca made their point. And inspired me to a new post to be published soon… Can Oranje copy Barca like Barca copies Oranje?
So, Chelsea - Barca in one semis and Porto - Arsenal the other one?
Another Arsenal - Barca finals?
SOURCE
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Chelsea and United to fight for Kaka - Transfer Talk
Chelsea and Manchester United are favourites to sign Kaka after he admitted he is interested in playing in England.
Manchester City's acrimonious attempt to sign the AC Milan playmaker in January is likely to leave the Brazilian seeking an alternative destination if he leaves Serie A for the Premier League.
Kaka, say sources in Italy, was not happy with the way the Eastlands club went about their business and while Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in the midfield genius they do not have the funds to compete with Chelsea and United.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Ronaldinho set to join Ronaldo at Real Madrid?
Ronaldinho is reportedly keen on a move to Real Madrid in the summer.
The Spanish giants are already expected to finally land Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in the summer, in a move which could cost them around £75million.
Reports in Spain now suggest the Portuguese ace could be joined at the Bernabeu by Ronaldinho, who has endured a difficult campaign in Italy with AC Milan.
“I want a meeting with the directors of Milan,” he admitted last week. "This has not been a great season for me, but I will not speculate on my future until the end of the season."
If Ronaldinho does clinch a move to Los Blancos, he will become hugely unpopular with fans of Barcelona, who he wooed during five glorious seasons up until his exit last summer.
Source
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Ancelotti Praises Milan’s Persistence; Hails Ronaldinho & Pato
Milan defeated Lecce at the San Siro stadium 2-0, and as a result, they are four points clear in third place with eight matches remaining in the season.
Two goals in stoppage time in the second half to Ronaldinho and Pippo Inzaghi were enough for the Rossoneri to record their 17th victory of the campaign.
The Giallorossi certainly made life difficult for the Milanese club, however according to the coach of Milan Carlo Ancelotti, his players played with more heart and soul on the night.
“In the second half in particular, we played with more heart and soul than they did,” Ancelotti confidently stated in an interview with Sky.
“In the first half we were too slow, and we created virtually nothing. In the second half though, we were a different side.
“Ronaldinho had lots of space on the left, and did very well, whilst Pato did an excellent job once again.
The former Barcelona star Ronaldinho opened the scoring after 91 minutes of play, and it was a timely goal for him, as rumours surrounding his future have intensified over the past few weeks.
“Again, Ronaldinho did very well, and he obviously has made a significant contribution.
“He has been struggling with an injury to his heel for about a month, and this has understandably affected his performances and physical condition. I can guarantee though that this injury is certainly better than it was prior to the international break.
“As for his future, bet on him to be here with us next season, because he is young and is an integral part of this team,” Ancelotti concluded.
Milan’s next league task is Chievo, who they will do battle with in Verona next weekend.
Source
Aliyev: Rooney Will Get His
No harm no foul right? That’s what Wayne Rooney tried to convey as he stared pleadingly at the referee with the eyes of a teenage vandal caught red handed. Luckily for him Claus Bo-Larsen was in position to see the England striker catch a piece of the ball in his attempt to maim Oleksandr Aliyev. Rooney’s reckless lounge with his studs up a foot off the ground should have been a sending off regardless but he was spared, perhaps because it was the first time that night he truly showed his violent tendencies. For his part Aliyev asked for no apologies, but Rooney may not want to plant his feet too firmly when England visit Ukraine next fall.
Like Rooney, Aliyev is a player whose reputation precedes him. In England Aliyev is probably best remembered for his “play dead” routine against Arsenal, and a red card later in that match. Groomed from a young age as a wunderkind footballer, the Dynamo Kyiv midfielder has run into trouble on and off the pitch. He tends to let his competitiveness take over his decision making process, which sometimes leads to brilliance but also contributes to acts that lets just say society frowns upon. I am sure Shrek can relate. In an interview with the Ukrainian tabloid Blik, Aliyev discussed the Wednesday incident with the England striker:
The shin guards saved my leg, or he would have broken it for sure. I was looking for some payback, but the right opportunity never came up. I’ll be sure to make it up to him in Dnepropetrovsk.
As for the match itself, Aliyev thought Peter Crouch did well as the target man for the Three Lions, and the attention he drew may have been responsible for the set piece lapses that let down Ukraine. Asked about the late free kick opportunity, Aliyev admitted he wanted to have a go, but “so did Sheva, and seniority has the right of way.”
Rooney is d man! ^^
Source
Monday, April 6, 2009
Manchester United Boss Alex Ferguson Again Advocates Winter Break
They do it on the continent, and Fergie thinks they should try it in England. But the idea of a mid-winter break has never been widely embraced by the Premier League, and the United boss is not holding his breath this time, either...
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson thinks the introduction of a winter break to the English Premier League would be a positive step - though he discounts the chances of it happening.
Ferguson has called for a continental-style shut-down in mid-season in the past, arguing that such a break immediately after the traditional Christmas and New Year fixtures would be beneficial.
And he returned to the theme on Friday, when ITV Sport quoted him as saying, "I think David Gill [Manchester United's chief executive] put up a proposal about staggering games so television could still continue every week, but I don't think it will happen."
Ferguson is well aware that the concept has never been particularly popular in England - although the top-flight clubs did once vote in favour of a winter break in principle. However, they failed to propose exactly how it would be scheduled.
But the United boss reckons the extension of the current season by an additional week to accommodate England's World Cup qualifying games against Kazakhstan and Andorra in June offers an ideal opportunity to bring in a winter break.
Gill is due to propose that one round of Premier League fixtures is spread over three weeks in January, which could satisfy the needs of broadcasters while providing the players of all 20 clubs with two weeks' rest to recharge their batteries.
Ferguson feels that players in England suffer more injuries at that time of the year than their European counterparts precisely because they do not get the chance to rest.
"Think about players going through December, playing game after game and the effect that has on them," said Ferguson.
"That is the real tell-tale sign. They play with niggles and strains and by February and March a lot are playing on memory and playing with injuries.
"For some players it could be a long-term problem. There has been a lot of talk about it but I don't think it will change."
Source
Liverpool, Chelsea renew Champions League duel
Of those eight matches, the Premier League sides have played out four draws and won two apiece. Before Chelsea won last year's semifinal series, the previous six Liverpool-Chelsea meetings in European competition had produced just three goals.
The teams know each other so well that even Rafa Benitez, Liverpool's master tactician in Europe, will be struggling to produce a surprise element at Anfield.
Although praising Benitez as a "very smart manager," Chelsea's interim manager Guus Hiddink said there were no secrets in modern football.
"The players are known by the managers, the players know each other very well, the managers know how they play, so it's very, very tight," Hiddink said. "I'm looking forward to this battle, but in the end we can plan what we want -- the players, they have to execute it and it always depends on those little details in the execution."
The only constant in recent years has been Benitez, who was in charge when Liverpool edged Chelsea in the semifinals and then lifted the trophy in 2005 with a win over Milan. Hiddink is Chelsea's fourth manager in that period. Unlike Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari did not last until the end of the season to face Liverpool in Europe.
The big difference this season is the threat Liverpool is finally providing domestically, shifting Europe to second in Benitez' priority list. The Reds are just a point behind league-leading Manchester United and have completed a double for the first time since 1989-90 over third-place Chelsea -- inspired by Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
"This is probably the worst time to be facing Gerrard," said Chelsea captain John Terry, part of the team that lost last season's Champions League final to Manchester United. "He's one of the best players in the world, that's for sure. He's in great form at the minute. I'm sort of dreading going there to play him because he is different class."
The one certainty is an English semifinalist for the sixth straight season. The mission facing FC Porto and Villarreal is to prevent another two Premier League clubs reach the semis.
"There could be three English teams in the semis again, that's how strong we are," Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said ahead of Tuesday's home match against Porto. "Because of the competitive nature of our Premier League I think an English team will win the Champions League again this year and it could be another all-English final."
History is against United winning, though, as European club champions since 1992 -- when Champions League format began -- have never managed to defend their title.
Portuguese league leader Porto will be drawing inspiration from their victorious trip to Old Trafford in 2004 en route to winning the competition under Mourinho.
"They are a good team with lots of attacking power," United striker Carlos Tevez said. "They are going through a very good period at the moment. It won't be easy to beat them, but we have confidence in ourselves. We are dreaming of returning to the final and winning the Champions League once again."
Arsenal or Villarreal meet in Spain on Tuesday.
Villarreal will be without star forward Santi Cazorla, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the season with a leg injury. But his side is unbeaten at El Madrigal in European play, including the return leg of the 2006 semifinals against Arsenal, which ended 0-0. Arsenal reached the final due to its first-leg goal, but lost in Paris to Barcelona.
Barcelona has been matched with Bayern Munich in the only quarterfinal without an English side.
The Spanish leaders host Bayern -- fourth in the Bundesliga -- on Wednesday on the back of five straight La Liga victories.
While Samuel Eto'o scored his 26th goal of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win at Valladolid, coach Pep Guardiola will be looking to repair Barcelona's leaky Champions League defense against the German club.
Barcelona has conceded 11 goals -- the most of any of the eight quarterfinalists and has yet to keep a clean sheet at the Camp Nou.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Wayne Rooney Wants To Be Manchester United Lifer
Manchester United golden boy Wayne Rooney says he wants to finish his career at the club.
Rooney has been a mainstay at Old Trafford since his unforgettable hat-trick against Fenerbahce on his debut and there is every indication that the the best is yet to come from the super-talented 23-year-old.
The ex-Everton prodigy has three-and-a-half years to run on his contract. But when that's up, he is hoping to sign another one, to keep him a Red Devil for the rest of his playing days.
"I've always said that as long as United want me I'm happy to stay at the club," Rooney said in a recent interview for Inside United magazine.
"I don't want to leave. I love United and I have no reason to think about moving. I'm sure I'll be here for a long time.
"I hope I'm still at United when I'm the same age as guys like Ryan [Giggs], Paul [Scholes] and Gary [Neville]."
Rooney's first concern though is from what seat in the stands to watch United's next game, at home to Aston Villa, after his sending-off at Fulham a couple of weekends ago.
Source
Friday, April 3, 2009
Nutmeg your Friend!
How to Nutmeg a Player
A successful nutmeg elicits cheers and oohs and ahhs from the crowd, but when it’s unsuccessful, it’s often a big let down to one’s team in general and can lead to a counter attack or change the momentum of the game.
A nutmeg is demoralizing to the player who’s the victim of the nutmeg, but can revitalize a team that’s successful megged a player. It is the move of a showoff or a genius. The meg could be the most crowd-pleasing move besides a goal, and sometimes animates people more than a goal itself. It is right up there in terms of excitement level with the diving header, the bicycle kick and the first time volley.
If you are going to try to nutmeg someone it better work, it’s as simple as that. There are ways to hedge the nutmeg though. One way is to try for the nutmeg when you are along the sidelines, so if the ball doesn’t go through the opponent’s legs then it will go out of bounds and you’ll win a throw-in or a corner. You’ll see a lot of players do this as the game is winding down and they’re trying to kill off the game down in the corners of the field. What’s frustrating though is if someone goes for the meg and it doesn’t work and they just as easily could have played the ball back to a teammate and maintained possession.
But when it works, the meg is a beautiful part of the beautiful game.
Nutmeg Tips:
* Lead the defender away from where you want to go
* Catch them off balance or diving in
* See if they are coming in too fast and will over commit
* Setup the player by beating them a certain way a few times before
* Don’t get predictable and try the meg all the time
Of course, the best time to nutmeg someone is when the defender least expects it. And the situation where this most often arises is when a defender over commits. When they’re so eager to win the ball they dive in. They come charging at you or stretch their legs and reach to block a cross or shot.
A nutmeg is really like a very wise cut back. To accomplish a nutmeg you have to lead the defender one why when you really want to go the other direction. Give the impression that they can reach and win the ball. When the defender reaches to tackle or win the ball you slip the ball through their legs.
Watch these some examples:
* Ryan Giggs
* Nutmeg Compilation
* Ronaldo
* John O'Shea
Situations Where the Nutmeg Is On:
* Running down the line about to cross the ball
* Defender charging at you
* Unbalanced defender, reaching or diving to block a pass or shot
* To make a pass when the players legs are open
The Best Nutmeg Artists In The Game:
* Messi
* Robinho
* Ronaldinho
* Cristiano Ronaldo
* Kaka
The nutmeg can also be done to make a pass or score a goal. I’m sure you’ve seen a ton of goals scored where the ball goes through the keeper’s legs. More often than not though this is an accident and not the intention of the scorer – they just hit the ball low and hard and they’re just happy the ball went in the back of the net. The keeper can't really do anything about it.
Warning: Too many players try to nutmeg players when they should just go by them. It’s very frustrating for your team if you lose the ball trying something that is difficult and doesn't always come off successfully. The nutmeg is something that's done when there’s no chance of failure, or if there’s, the ball will go out of bounds for a corner or a throw-in. So don’t try for a meg when you can just go by the players – take what the game gives you and don’t make it more difficult than it is.
SOURCE
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Kaka vs Ronaldinho
C'mon watch with me! :)
Kaka Ready for World Cup Qualifier against Peru
Former World Player of the Year Kaka is ready for Brazil's World Cup qualifying tie against Peru on Wednesday after recovering from a left foot injury.
Brzail coach Dunga confirmed the AC Milan player's recovering from the injury.
"He is ready for the game. He is fit, though I don't know how much of the game he will manage," Dunga said.
The 26-year-old has been undergoing a special training programme at home following the foot injury he suffered in Serie A early this month.
"I would like to be able to play and after this latest training session I saw I was pretty much ready to play - but I don't know how long for," said the star.
"If I am in a fit state to do so I'd like to get through the 90 minutes," he added.
Kaka missed Brazil's lackluster 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Quito on Sunday, staying in Brazil to recover his fitness and treat the foot injury sustained with AC Milan earlier this month.
Brazil have only won four of their 11 qualifiers to date and currently placed fourth in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 18 points.
Paraguay topped the table with 23 points, followed by Argentina and Chile in 19 points.
According to the rules of soccer's world governing body FIFA, the top four finishers of the South American qualifications will automatically qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa.
The fifth-placed nation will face a one-match playoff against the fourth-place finisher in the CONCACAF qualifying group.
Brazil meets Peru in World Cup qualifier
BRASILIA, Brazil — Kaka says he's match fit and ready to play for Brazil in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Peru, but doesn't know whether coach Dunga will put him in the lineup.
The AC Milan player has recovered from a left foot injury that kept him out of Brazil's lackluster 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Quito on Sunday.
"Dunga has not yet told me if I will play or not, but I want to be available for the game," Kaka said on Tuesday. "I am in condition to play, I just don't know for how long."
Kaka and the rest of the players participated in a light practice session before 25,000 fans at Beira-Rio Stadium and Dunga gave no hints about who would play alongside Kaka in attack -- Elano, Ronaldinho or Julio Baptista.
Kaka apparently prefers Ronaldinho, his AC Milan teammate.
"We have played great games together and I think we could play together again," Kaka said.
He predicted a tough game against Peru.
"Brazil always has the obligation to win at home," Kaka told the Globo Esporte Web site. "We know the game against Peru will be a difficult one. It is in last place and will do everything it can to make it hard for us."
Inter Milan defender Maicon will miss the match after injuring his right thigh in the first half against Ecuador. He will likely be replaced by Barcelona's Daniel Alves. Manchester United midfielder Anderson also will be absent after a left thigh injury sustained during practice on Monday.
Brazil was in fourth place in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 18 points, five behind leader Paraguay and one behind both Argentina and Chile.
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Ronaldinho has options
Ronaldinho’s brother and agent has confessed that several clubs have enquired about the Milan star.
The former Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona man is unhappy with the amount of time he has played this season.
Roberto Assis is all too aware of his brother's unrest, but says the Rossoneri will have the final word regarding the attacker’s future.
Manchester City remain strongly linked to a player who snubbed their big-money offer a year ago, and reports suggest that Mark Hughes has revived his interest in the Brazilian.
“Several clubs have asked about his situation, but every movement depends on Milan,” Assis told sport.es.
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