Weekly Football News, November 12, 2012
Holtby destined for Premier League switch
Lewis Holtby looks destined to be a Premier League player when his contract at Schalke 04 finishes at the end of this season.
The 22-year-old Germany international midfielder has admitted that he will weigh up offers from Premier League clubs in the German league's winter break.
"I won't play around with the club," said Holtby, speaking to German newspaper Der Westen. "The opportunities are there. My agent has received offers. I'm waiting to make a decision."
Holtby, who has an Everton-supporting British father and German mother, had previously been linked with a move to Arsenal in the English press after conceding his admiration for their playing style.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard is in talks with Chinese Super League side Guizhou Renhe about a January transfer window move.
"Yes, we are in contact with Lampard but so far nothing has been settled," said deputy board chairman Yang Xiaoyu.
Dzeko can't shake off super-sub tag
English champions Manchester City kept up the pace on league leaders Manchester United with a dramatic last-gasp win over Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium.
As United had done 24 hours earlier when they came from 2-0 down at Aston Villa to win 3-2, with half-time substitute Javier Hernandez grabbing a remarkable hat-trick, City recovered from a half-time deficit to secure another valuable three points.
Edin Dzeko, the £27m Bosnian striker, grabbed the winner two minutes from time.
Of Dzeko's six league goals this season, five have come as a substitute and three have proven to be decisive in the victories over Fulham, West Brom and now Spurs. However, he remains unhappy at playing only a cameo role for the champions.
"I am not going to repeat what I have already said," the 26-year-old said. "At the moment I come on and score, it is just a coincidence. My goals are talking for me and that is the message."
Chelsea drew 1-1 with Liverpool to drop to third.
Fred clinches title for Fluminense
Fluminense have clinched their second Brazilian championship in three seasons following a 3-2 win over Palmeiras.
Closest rivals Atletico Mineiro only managed a 1-1 draw at Vasco da Gama, handing Flu the title win with three matches to spare.
"We fought hard from the start and everyone made a lot of sacrifices for this," said Fred, who scored twice in Flu’s victory, including the winner two minutes from full-time.
"It's great to see this group winning this title after giving all we had from the first match. This is well-deserved, there is no doubt about it."
"Everybody needs to be congratulated. This is the most united group that I've ever played with."
Sydney FC boss Crook resigns after only six matches
Ian Crook has walked out on Sydney FC only six matches into the new A-League season in Australia after admitting that poor results and the pressure of managing the league's glamour club had taken a toll on his health.
Although English-born Crook may remain with the Sydneysiders in another coaching capacity, he conceded that he had not coped well with the pressure that came with the main position.
Sydney lost 3-2 to rivals Melbourne Victory over the weekend after their 7-2 thrashing against Central Coast a week ago.
"What I love is coaching on the pitch, all this (press conferences) becomes a burden and with Alessandro [del Piero] coming all of this has become bigger than Ben Hur," Crook said.
"That's become a weight on my shoulders and I probably haven't handled it great.
He continued: "I just felt it started to affect me and my health. I haven't enjoyed it for a few weeks if the truth be known.
"I feel like it's been a burden, a constant burden, and once something gets like that, it starts affecting me and my family."
Compiled by Marc Fox
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