It is a bizarre time of the year that sees as a large percentage of the male population decide to grow a moustache and in the main look absolutely ridiculous. You should see the state of some of them on the London Underground commute every morning, but I suppose I should admire their reasoning for it.
As we know Premier League footballers have jumped on the bandwagon and some of them have gone that extra mile. Michael Owen has exaggerated his one (perhaps to show he has a hint of personality about him), Peter Crouch is looking more and more like Blakey from ‘On the Buses’, while there are many other players whose moustaches wouldn’t look out of place at a Village People concert. Even a few managers have got in on the act, although the less said about Sam Allardyce’s the better.
This latest top 10 list is a celebration of arguably the worst moustaches that English football has ever seen.
Click on Joey Barton to unveil the top 10 worst taches in football
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Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has rejected talk that he is set to move to Juventus in January and claims that he is very happy at Liverpool.
Suarez had been linked with the Italian champions ahead of the January transfer window but the Uruguayan claims that Liverpool is the club that people want to play for.
Liverpool’s main man is suspended for today’s trip to London to face West Ham and Jonjo Shelvey is expected to start up front for the Reds who are massively low on forwards this season.
There is no doubt that Suarez has been a huge player at Anfield since his arrival from Ajax and despite confirming that Juventus and their manage Antonio Conte are interested in him, he is staying on Merseyside.
Suarez has a goal ratio that is better than one in two for Liverpool and their valuation of £28million is a tough ask for any Italian club to meet.
“Serie A is very nice and a competitive league with great teams and great players,” Suarez told Mediaset as reported by Sky Sports.
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“I know (Conte wants me at Juventus) because it’s been talked about quite a lot and I always read a lot of stories in the newspapers.
“But I’m very happy at Liverpool. It is a club where many people would like to play.”
’s Welsh wing wizard Gareth Bale today praised his teammates for the win against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, as reported by Sky Sports.
The Premier League clash at Villa Park saw Spurs dominate possession in the first half as they failed to break the deadlock before half time.
Bale acknowledged his team’s difficulty at finding the opening goal and commented on two very contrasting 45-minutes. The Welshman noted that, “The most important thing was that we got the three points. We created a lot of chances and controlled the game in the first half, probably better than the second half when we scored the goals.”
Jermain Defoe claimed the opener, taking his Premier League tally to 10 goals. Bale then rounded the goalkeeper in a solo effort, making it 2-0 to Spurs. His second and third goals both came from runs through the middle where Bale’s teammates found the winger in space before he calmly slotted home, making it 3-0 and 4-0 respectively.
“It was great to get the hat-trick, my first in the Premier League, but I couldn’t have done it without the lads. It was a great team performance,” said Bale.
“It was crucial we got the first goal and the sooner the better. That showed when we scored. In the end, we won quite comfortably.
“It was a frustrating but I always believed – as the manager said – that if we kept playing like we were playing, the goals would come.”
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Manager Andre Villas-Boas added his opinion on the winger’s positional ability and eye for goal, noting that “[Gareth’s] finishing is very accurate, he’s been prolific in front of goal this season, so I think he’s enjoying getting into those positions.”
Teammate Jan Vertonghen also saved a few words for Bale, reminding us “His left foot is lethal.” The Belgian then went onto say “There were good assists in there as well but you know if he’s in front of goal with his left foot it’s 80 per cent a goal.”
Liverpool’s dominant and richly deserved 4-0 victory over an out-of-sorts Fulham side at Anfield at the weekend was followed up by a deeply disappointing 3-1 loss away at Stoke, so are Brendan Rodgers’ methods finally starting to take hold and translate into results and tangible progress out on the pitch, or are they still too far away to truly challenge the top four?
It’s been a difficult year both on and off the pitch for the club, with the crumbling fortress that is Anfield witnessing just six Premier League wins in 2012 and only 12 in total across two different managers, while the upheaval in terms of replacing Kenny Dalglish with Brendan Rodgers has seen a shift in transfer policy, a ruthless cutting of the wage bill and a change in the club’s style of play to a more possession-based game. While it hasn’t quite matched up to the turbulent times of the last few days of the Hicks and Gillett era, the club’s supporters will be hoping for an altogether quieter, more reserved 2013.
While Rodgers’ talk of a top two finish looked foolish even before the 3-1 humbling at the hands of Aston Villa on home soil this month, that result has very much been the exception rather than the rule of late given the team’s decent form which has seen them earn impressive wins on the road against West Ham and Udinese. There are initial signs that after a ropey start to the season, with profligacy in front of goal hampering the side once again and results simply not matching up to performances, that an alignment of the two is now starting to take place.
The side currently sit just eight points off fourth-placed Tottenham, but after being out-fought and out-thought during the 3-1 loss to Tony Pulis’ side at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day, it’s that sort of inconsistency from one game to another which is proving frustrating for many of the club’s fans.
Captain Steven Gerrard’s magnificent display at the heart of a midfield trio against the Cottagers perfectly encapsulated the team’s up and down, inconsistent nature so far under Rodgers. The 32-year-old has looked ill at ease and unsure of his role in the team’s 4-3-3 system up until this point, decidedly average and ineffective going forward; shackled further back while still coming to terms with his lack of drive.
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However, on Saturday, Gerrard was at the hub of all of Liverpool’s best play, spraying sumptuous pass after pass out to either wing with unerring accuracy and timing his runs from deep to perfection, while also shielding his back four and keeping it simple when the occasion called for it. After six months, Rodgers’ methods appear to finally be breaking through into the players’ psyche and while there will be hiccups along the way, the side are certainly on the up along with their much-vaunted skipper’s form.
One of those hiccups came against Stoke, and while not as large as the Aston Villa defeat in terms of context, it will still have knocked the confidence of a young and relatively inexperienced squad. Despite taking the lead early on courtesy of a superbly taken Gerrard penalty, who was once again the team’s best player, they were pegged back almost straight away when Jonathan Walters equalised moments later – a trait that the team is becoming increasingly well-known for – conceding straight after they score and they appeared a touch lightweight, which when you come up against the Potters is at least understandable, but the result seemed inevitable after Kenywyne Jones nodded them ahead, with a distinct lack of fight on show.
The conditions under which the 39-year-old took over the reins at Anfield were not enviable ones; he has had to throw numerous youngsters into the mix ahead of schedule, he’s been continually hampered and undermined in the transfer market, all while having to reduce a hefty wage bill which has robbed him of the squad strength and depth required to stage an assault at both home and abroad like he has been tasked with this season.
Bumps in the road are commonplace, but along with Gerrard, the former Swansea manager deserves credit for instilling confidence in his troops and making them believe that their footballing ‘philosophy’ is one which will reap dividends further down the line. Knee-jerk reactions after every disappointing result or performance, like the ones after Aston Villa and Stoke, are simply part and parcel of being a big club going through a tough patch; a vocal minority given airtime, despite lacking any semblance of patience or rational thought to back up the bravado and shouty opinions.
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This is a club in transition, one which is pursuing with a new possession-based style of play while planning for the future at the same time. For those supporters brought up on years of success, seemingly mollycoddled by glory, they’ll simply have to calm down for the time being, for anything more than a top eight finish this term will be seen as a step in the right direction and a halting of the decline of recent years.
Champions League football is the ultimate aim, and the likely arrivals of both Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince in January will help add goals to a threadbare attack and provide depth over the coming months, even if a return to Europe’s elite competition will surely have to wait for the coming seasons. Put into perspective, the side is struggling for consistency and against physical opposition, but that will change the more the players get used to the way that their manager wants them to play.
For far too long the club has been in search of an identity, even resorting to one of decade’s past by returning to Dalglish in the first place, and while there are plenty of problems left to fix and issues to iron out, Liverpool finally look like they’ve found one that they see as relatable to the modern game; for a team increasingly comfortable in their own skin, while expectations need to be kept in check for the time being, inconsistency will be rife, but it’s important to keep the long-term objective in mind, despite the temptation to give in to the vocal knuckle-draggers that every club suffers with.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is preparing a last ditch move for Newcastle target Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, according to reports from The Mirror.
The Magpies have reportedly agreed a £6.7m fee with Montpellier for the French centre-back, who is due to travel to St James’ Park to negotiate a move in the coming days.
However, the Gunners are believed to be firmly in race for the 23-year-old, and could make a rival bid to snatch him away from Alan Pardew.
This would come as a real blow for Newcastle, who were believed to have a deal for Loic Remy wrapped up last week as they searched to replace Demba Ba.
But, QPR offered the striker superior personal terms, leaving the Tyne club short of attacking options.
They could now face a similar fate, as they look to find a replacement for wantaway defender Fabricio Coloccini.
Wenger is believe to have some reservations about Yanga-Mbiwa, but could shelve these in fear of losing out on a long-term target.
AC Milan are also interested, but it is thought the battle for his signature is between the Premier League duo.
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Pardew seen Yanga-Mbiwa as the ideal addition to his stretched squad, with the defensive man able to fill in at centre-back, full-back and in a holding midfield position.
are determined to thrash out a pre-contract deal with Keisuke Honda, ahead of a summer switch to Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers is desperate to add striking reinforcements within his Liverpool squad and he sees a deal for Honda as one that is too good to turn down for a player who can play in a variety of positions in the final third
The CSKA Moscow star is available on a Bosman free this summer, as the Russian giants failed to agree a new deal with the talented Japanese ace and they are now resigned to losing him:
‘We tried to extend his contract, but we can’t force him,’ confessed CSKA director Roman Babaev.
‘It is up to him what happens next.’ (Metro)
Honda has scored nine goals in twenty-two matches this season; the 26-year olds best return since arriving in Russia, and Liverpool can expect serious competition for the Japanese star’s signature.
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One of Germany’s hottest young stars has revealed he’d be open to joining Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail.
Dortmund youngster Mario Goetze, 20, who also revealed that he’s tempted by moves to Barcelona or Real Madrid, is rated one of the best young footballers in the World.
The young midfielder has an incredible 16 assists to his name so far this season for reigning Champions Dortmund having also found the net himself on another 14 occasions.
As well as becoming one of the Bundesliga’s best players, Goetze has also established himself on the International stage having earned 20 caps for Germany already.
It’s no surprise to hear that some of Europe’s elite have taken an interest in the German wonderkid, but Goetze is in no mood to jump the Bundesliga ship just yet.
“Clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are attractive, other top leagues would help me develop.”
“But I’m not thinking of that at the moment.” Goetze told German TV station Sport1
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Goetze signed a new contact with Dortmund this time last year, a deal that stands until 2016. Goetze revealed that the main reason behind the signing was that he felt that Dortmund were “far from finished in their recent resurgence” and that he “wanted to be a part of the develpments.”
Manchester United have pulled out of the running for Radamel Falcao, leaving the way clear for Chelsea to battle with Manchester City, according to the Sun.
Falcao is one of the most sought after strikers in Europe and reports in Spain had suggested that Ferguson was ready to offer Atletico Madrid Javier Hernandez plus cash to get the striker on board.
However, Ferguson has rubbished such rumours and this could now leave the door open for Manchester City and Chelsea to battle it out for the striker’s signature.
When quizzed about the rumour, Ferguson bit back: “Do you honestly believe that? You amaze me you people.”
Ferguson is in the hunt for a new striker even though he has denied suggestions that Wayne Rooney could be moved on, and Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski is said to be a target.
Rumours have surfaced that Chelsea are considering throwing Fernando Torres into the deal, which would see him return to the boyhood club he left 6 years ago for Liverpool.
With Mario Balotelli gone and Eden Dzeko seemingly on his way out as well, City have stepped up their pursuit of the 27-year-old Colombian.
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Falcao joined Atletico in 2011 as a replacement for Sergio Aguero, who joined Manchester City.
Arsenal’s transfer policy has been the subject of considerable scrutiny this season. While Wenger’s inability to spend big in the transfer market, with the Gunners’ record transfer fee at a measly £16million for Santi Cazorla, has been identified as a major factor in the club’s current malaise and overall depreciation of the first team squad, the French manager has also come under fire for letting some his key players leave and join up with divisional and continental rivals; a trend which started with Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole, and the latest case being Robin van Persie’s £20million move to Manchester United.
Perhaps we have been too eager to criticise; Wenger’s arrogant and pompous demeanour, in addition to Arsenal’s decline has made him an easy target. The truth is, not every player whom the Frenchman has either pushed out of the club or left of their own accord has gone on to better their careers by turning their backs on the Emirates. In fact, there is a common trend regarding former Arsenal players that suggests the opposite is often true, that the grass is not greener on the other side, and perhaps staying put in hindsight would have been the better option.
The most recent example is Alex Song, whom was sold to Barcelona for £15million by Wenger last summer. No doubt, at the time, Arsenal fans were incredibly concerned that their most prominent midfielder and their talisman striker were moved on in the same transfer window for relatively miniscule amounts in the grand scheme of the transfer market, and furthermore, despite incredibly consistent performances from Mikel Arteta this season, it is clear the Gunners have missed the Cameroon international’s physical presence throughout their lukewarm Premier League campaign.
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But over in La Liga, things haven’t gone so well for the midfield enforcer, despite being part of a squad that already have their hands on the domestic title, and furthermore are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Song has made just 15 competiti ve starts all year, and has found himself being deployed as a centre-back almost as much as in the middle of the park. It has lead to speculation that the 25 year old is desperately seeking an escape route from the Nou Camp, with a return to Arsenal being his desired preference.
Wenger has denied there is interest from his own end, but what is more important is that this is not the first case of an Arsenal player’s career to take a sour turn upon departing from the Emirates. Aleksander Hleb made the same move as Song, opting for a switch to Barcelona back in 2008.
At the time, the lack of protest on Wenger’s part seemed surprising, but with the Belarus winger turning out for the Catalans just 36 times in the space of four years, with unsuccessful spells at Stuttgart, Birmingham City and Wolfsburg in the process, hindsight has proved that the Arsenal boss made the right call in selling on a player at the same price he bought him at, getting two seasons of good performances along the way.
Hleb himself has even admitted he made a mistake, telling the Daily Mail in 2009; “I regret my move from London, but unfortunately nothing can be done about it now. For me, Wenger was like a father. I consider him one of the best managers in the world. For such a boss one wants to die on the pitch. Arsene managed to create a smashing team with a wonderful atmosphere inside of it.”
Perhaps the caste study of Alexandr Hleb is a tad extreme, considering his move to Spain appears to have been a flop of Fernando Torres-esque proportions. But even for a number of Wenger’s sales whom at the time were considered an abomination, it is a similar story. Emmanuel Adebayor has cemented his reputation at Manchester City and now Tottenham as player who quite simply isn’t worth the hassle; the Togo international brings one season of exceptional performances and a flurry of goals, followed by a period of unacceptable form, selfish behaviour and a distinct lack of loyalty. Furthermore, Samir Nasri may have lifted a Premier League title since his £25million move to City in 2011, but the French midfielder has now become the Citizens supporters’ favourite boo-boy, and he is expected to be shafted by Roberto Mancini in the summer.
The 60 plus trophies won by former Arsenal players in the same time period since the Gunners last lifted silver wear eight years ago has been well documented, with all the mainstream newspapers providing various trendy diagrams and charts in a bid to show the flaws of Wenger’s transfer policy – furthermore, it is startling that when searching ‘trophies w’ on Google, the immediate search result is ‘trophies won by ex-arsenal players’. But looking closer at the details, and it appears the story is almost entirely hyperbole.
Hleb’s apparent five accolades since his departure include a La Liga title, Copa Del Rey and Champions League trophy in which he played a cameo role in attaining, in addition to a League Cup win with Birmingham, despite only playing in one League Cup fixture and totalling just 20 appearances in total during his loan spell at St. Andrews, and a Belarusian Premier League title with Bate Borisov.
Similarly, Anthony Stokes’ SPL and Scottish Cup successes are hardly worth mentioning, and likewise concerning Emmanuel Eboue’s Turkish Super Lig and Super Kupa silverware Gilberto Silva’s achievements in Greek football, or Eduardo’s five Ukrainian League and Cup wins, whilst Jermaine Pennant’s lifting of the Community Shield shouldn’t be even considered as a legitimate trophy.
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However, there are some calls that Wenger has got wrong. Whilst the Gunners have never really missed the presence of the likes of Jose Antonio Reyes, Sebastian Larrson, Eduardo, Emmanuel Eboue or even Lassana Diarra, letting Patrick Viera go aged just 29 proved to be a mistake, as did the sale of Ashley Cole and Kolo Toure – the club’s last two top quality defenders.
But whether you argue that it is the players’ comeuppance for their lack of loyalty, or if you think Wenger should have tried harder to keep his players at the club by offering them more competitive wages, there is an underlying concern that must be troubling Gunners fans. The fact remains that the general perspective from footballers, agents, and other teams is that Arsenal has become a selling club.
Alex Song is just one of a long list of players from the club’s recent history that have made a name for themselves in North London, only to move on when another major European power comes calling. Just as important as it is for Wenger to bring in some fresh blood in the summer to lift the quality of the first team, the Gunners boss must do more to keep his stars at the Emirates. They may go on to regret their departures, but there is no doubt that the transfers of Alex Song, Alexandr Hleb, Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Adebayor to name a few, have hurt the club in the long term, as much as it has hurt the players as individuals.
Wigan will be without winger Callum McManaman after he suffered ankle ligament damage in the 4-1 loss at Arsenal. Jean Beausejour (hamstring) is expected to hand manager Roberto Martinez a boost by returning from a hamstring problem.
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert could hand Darrent Bent a rare start with leading scorer Christian Benteke suspended, while Matthew Lowton (thigh) could return and Karim El Ahmadi (also thigh) are back. Ciaran Clark (foot) remains sidelined.
Roberto Martinez… “At the moment, it’s not my priority. My priority is to prepare well for the game and make sure we have a really good time with the fans. On Monday we will celebrate with the FA Cup around the town. Then we will need a few days before sitting down with the chairman next week to decide what’s best for Wigan Athletic to move forward.”
Paul Lambert… “I am delighted for the lads and supporters. I am thrilled for them. They have seen what we have been doing here. They are a young team but they are getting better and better. You wouldn’t get 42,000 in the stadium if they weren’t behind it. The big test is whether the supporters stay with it, but they have been absolutely brilliant.”
Match Statistic: Wigan have failed to win in their last six Premier League games against Aston Villa since a 3-2 victory in April 2006.
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