Weekly Football News, August 26 2013
Chiriches next for new-look Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur are continuing to bring in marquee players in anticipation of Gareth Bale completing his world record transfer to Real Madrid this week.
Real have tabled two bids for Bale, who has been left out Spurs' opening two Premier League games while negotiations continue over a proposed £86 million deal.
The absence of the Welshman, however, has not prevented Tottenham from posting two convincing victories over Crystal Palace and Swansea, with £26 million Spain striker Roberto Soldado scoring the winners in both matches.
Soldado is among Andre Villas-Boas’ summer recruits, joining Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capoue as a newcomer at White Hart Lane, with Spurs having now agreed terms with Steaua Bucharest to buy defender Vlad Chiriches after missing out on Brazil midfielder Willian.
"The clubs have agreed on the transfer and I am happy for him," the Romanian side's coach, Laurentiu Reghecampf told a news conference yesterday.
Big clubs filling our players with disharmony: Pardew
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has blasted Arsenal after French midfielder Yohan Cabaye refused to play in his side's 0-0 draw at home to West Ham on Saturday following a ‘derisory’ £10 million bid from the Gunners on the eve of the new season.
Cabaye also missed last Monday's defeat by Manchester City despite completing the pre-season with Newcastle.
“It's difficult at the moment. We have big clubs filling our players with disharmony,” said Pardew.
"If it is a situation where he leaves the football club, we have got to be stronger. That's my aim when the window shuts.
“We need to get ourselves in a position where if he stays, great, and if he doesn't stay we need to get someone equally as good.”
Cabaye has made 73 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Lille in June 2011.
Toni the hero for promoted Hellas Verona
Two trademark headers from 36-year-old former Italian international Luca Toni has helped Hellas Verona come back from a goal down to beat AC Milan in their first Serie A match for 11 years.
The 1984-85 Italian champions finished second in Serie B last year to complete their return to the big time after more than a decade in the second and third tiers of Italian football.
Milan opening the scoring through Andrew Poli but were unconvincing throughout, with Toni scoring either side of half time.
“They deserved to win. We started well and then we stopped playing. We need to play with more aggression,' said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“We have to have a different attitude. We had it for 14 minutes and then we started to make mistakes and expose ourselves to counter-attacks.”
Cardiff shock former champions
Premier League newcomers Cardiff City have also already made their mark in the English top flight after a 51-year absence.
The Welsh side secured a 3-2 win over England's 2011-12 champions Manchester City in their first home match in the Premier League, and that despite City taking a deserved lead through Edin Dzeko’s powerful 52nd-minute opener.
Former Manchester United youngster Fraizer Campbell scored twice in Cardiff’s comeback after Aron Gunnarsson’s equaliser.
But Cardiff's superb performance in front of their own fans was no surprise to Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay, who claimed that his side had simply carried on from where they left off last season.
“We won the Championship and we have a fantastic home record, with the most points won at home last year," Mackay said.
"The belief we had today, against the best team in the league, is something we can take into next week and the week after. We deserve to be here.
"We have to make sure Cardiff City is a fortress like we did last year."
Compiled by Marc Fox
2013 Soccer News
Robin van Persie Kid Gloves - 12 August Football News - van Persie must be handled with care, according to Moyes
Alcantara to Hollywood - 15 July Football News - Fulham has a new owner as Alcantara joins Bayern.
Confed Cup - 1 July Football News - Brazil beat Spain 3-0 to win Confederations Cup.
Pirlo Masterclass - 17 June Football News - Pirlo is in regal form as Italy defeat Mexico at the Confederations Cup.
Champions League - 27 May Football News - Bayern beat Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.
Sir Alex To Leave - 13 May Football News - Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini both leaving as managers of the Manchester clubs.
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